Research and analysis

RPC opinion: offshore wind compensation reform options assessment

RPC's opinion of the options assessment produced by DEFRA for its planned reforms to the environmental compensatory measures for offshore wind.

• From: Regulatory Policy Committee
• Published: 4 March 2026

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RPC opinion: offshore wind compensation reform options assessment

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RPC opinion: offshore wind compensation reform options assessment

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The aim of the environmental compensatory measures reforms for offshore wind is to support the pipeline of offshore wind projects to deliver the government’s Clean Power by 2030 mission, while ensuring the continued protection of the UK’s marine protected areas network.

The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) gave a ‘green’ rating to the options assessment for the reforms proposed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on 18 August 2025.

This means that we considered the options assessment to be ‘fit for purpose’ based on our scrutiny of the evidence and analysis supporting the case for why regulation is necessary. 

The RPC’s opinion refers to the evidence and analysis presented in the options assessment, not the policy itself.

Following issue of the RPC’s opinion, an impact assessment for the statutory instrument to make the reforms, The Conservation of Habitats and Species (Offshore Wind) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2026, was laid in draft on 26 February 2026.

Under the Better Regulation Framework, DEFRA is not required to submit the impact assessment to the RPC for further independent scrutiny.

Published 4 March 2026