Offshore wind industry aims to generate one third of the UK’s electricity by 2030

UK offshore wind industry sets out its 2030 vision

The UK offshore wind industry is targeting a sector deal with the UK government which they believe could deliver thousands of additional skilled jobs in coastal areas, and billions of pounds worth of export opportunities.

This, coupled with the government’s clean growth strategy, means the industry would more than double its capacity from 13GW deployed or contracted today, to 30GW.

The industry’s vision for 2030 includes:

• £48 billion investment in UK infrastructure
• A five-fold increase in export value, to £2.6 billion a year
• 27,000 skilled jobs across the UK (up from 11,000 today) mainly in coastal areas
• £2.4 billion a year reduction in total electricity system costs

Engagement with the UK government will be led by Baroness Brown of Cambridge, who is the UK’s low carbon business ambassador and vice chair of the committee on climate change.

Baroness Brown said: ‘The challenge for the offshore wind industry and government is to ensure that we capitalise on our world-leading position in a highly competitive global market and deliver on the huge potential for jobs, new infrastructure, exports and economic growth. This will also allow us to continue to achieve significant cost reductions, helping energy consumers.

With an ambitious sector deal, we have the opportunity to take the next transformative steps together, enabling the offshore wind industry to help the government to achieve its clean growth ambitions in a way that boosts productivity and growth throughout the UK.’

Benj Sykes, co-chair of the offshore wind industry council said: ‘The sector is now at a critical turning point and must seize this opportunity to reach its full potential with a transformative deal.

Our proposals show how the innovative offshore wind industry can drive economic growth throughout the UK, attracting billions in investment, driving growth in coastal communities which need new opportunities, whilst generating affordable and clean energy.’

The offshore wind industry will now enter into a period of engagement with the UK government.