The British offshore wind-ustry has offered to work with the government on a ‘transformative’ sector deal, which by 2030 could deliver thousands of additional skilled jobs in coastal areas, and billions of pounds worth of export opportunities.
The industry is offering to make a number of new commitments from the industry to support the objectives of the Government’s Industrial Strategy; prioritising innovation, creating new business opportunities, generating high-quality jobs, helping communities to prosper and upgrading UK infrastructure.
For example, the industry has identified the potential to invest a further £48 billion in essential energy infrastructure by 2030, which could reduce overall electricity system costs by 9%.
The sector’s analysis also shows how the growing global offshore wind market, expected to reach over £30 billion per annum by 2030, presents huge export opportunities for the UK. If a deal is agreed, the industry believes it can grow its export value five-fold by 2030.
With this deal the industry aims to generate one third of the UK’s electricity from offshore wind by 2030. This scaled up ambition, coupled with the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy, means the industry will more than double its capacity from 13-GW deployed or contracted today, to 30-GW by 2030.
This additional capacity will not only generate affordable and clean electricity for UK business and consumers, it will also have a direct impact on supply chain productivity and efficiency, benefitting other sectors as well as the UK’s ability to export.
Speaking for the Offshore Wind Industry Council, Jonathan Cole, head of offshore wind at Scottish Power, said: “Britain is the global leader in offshore wind and further joined-up thinking will help to consolidate this position, creating a world of opportunities.
“The 2030 Vision will see the UK increase investment and manufacturing at home, while also boosting international export. It will build on the success story so far for offshore. The Government and the industry have worked well together for over a decade to deliver major environmental benefits, support thousands of jobs and encourage record levels of private sector investment.”
21 Mar 2018
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