RWE and KKR announce around £12bn investment in offshore wind

On 11 November 2026, RWE and investment firm KKR announced financial close for the Vanguard West and Vanguard East offshore wind farms in the British North Sea. Total investment is estimated at around £12 billion, covering construction of the wind farms and associated transmission infrastructure. This is a project investment estimate, not revenue or profit already earned.

Scale and timetable

The projects are 50–80 kilometres off the Norfolk coast in East Anglia. Each has 1.4 GW of installed capacity, or around 2.8 GW combined. RWE estimates that, once operational, they could generate electricity equivalent to the needs of around three million UK homes. Offshore construction is planned to start in early 2027, and full commissioning of both wind farms is expected in 2030. No exact construction start date has been announced.

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What has changed

KKR has completed the acquisition of a 50% equity stake in each project. RWE and KKR now own the joint venture equally, with RWE leading delivery. A group of 35 international banks has provided project financing comprising £11.1 billion in cash facilities and £1.7 billion in ancillary facilities. Those figures describe the financing package and should not be added to the £12 billion investment estimate. The package includes a £1 billion commitment from the UK National Wealth Fund.

Business implications and next steps

Construction may create demand for work and services in the energy supply chain, particularly in East Anglia. The announcement does not establish a new small business grant or an open application deadline. Prospective suppliers should check the official Vanguard project site and RWE contractor requirements, prepare evidence of their capabilities and relevant approvals, and monitor actual procurement opportunities. Businesses planning around the works can use early 2027 as an indicative offshore construction window, not as a fixed contracting date.

Official sources: RWE and KKR; UK government.