Around 4.9GW of commercial offshore wind farms are currently under construction in Europe but the sector has slowed down and could continue to contract in the next two years.

That’s according to a new report from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), which found 224 turbines, with a total capacity of 781MW, were connected to the grid in the first half of this year – 25% less than during the same time in 2013.

Around 310 turbines are awaiting grid connection, which when connected will add a further 1,200MW of offshore wind capacity.

Justin Wilkes, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the EWEA said: “Despite offshore wind power installations being lower than in the first six months of last year, it remains the fastest growing power sector in Europe.

“However, despite significant financing activity in the first half of the year, the contraction in installations we have witnessed in these first six months, may well continue into 2015 and 2016.”

He suggests the industry must be given “longer term visibility”.

The report however suggests there was “considerable financing activity” in the offshore wind sector in the first six months.