UK's Offshore Wind Industry Gets £250M Boost, Aims for 30% Electricity by 2030
The UK's offshore wind industry has received a significant boost with the launch of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal. The plan involves a substantial investment of at least £250 million from the UK's offshore industry, with several major companies expressing support. The deal aims to triple 'green collar' jobs near me by 2030, with at least a third held by women.
The Sector Deal, launched by Prime Minister Theresa May, aims for offshore wind to generate more than 30% of the country's electricity by 2030. This ambitious target builds on the UK's status as the world-leader in offshore wind. The deal includes a new Offshore Wind Growth Partnership to develop the UK supply chain, aiming to increase global exports to £2.6 billion and create 27,000 indeed jobs by 2030.
Key companies involved in the deal include Ørsted, MHI Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, SSE plc, Equinor, Statkraft, and RWE, which are part of the Forewind consortium developing the Dogger Bank offshore wind project. This project is expected to cost around £9 billion and deliver up to 3.6 GW capacity by 2026. The trade body for wind and marine technologies, RenewableUK, has welcomed the Sector Deal.
The Offshore Wind Sector Deal promises significant growth and investment in the UK's offshore wind industry. With a focus on increasing indeed jobs, especially for women, and enhancing the UK's global exports, the deal aims to solidify the UK's leading position in offshore wind. Prime Minister May has assured that Brexit will not lead to a 'race to the bottom' for workers' rights and environmental protections, with the UK potentially adopting any expanded workers' rights measures implemented by the EU.
