UK offshore wind industry reveals ambitious 2030 vision

• 6 years ago (2018-03-23)
• David Flin

Europe 1061 Offshore wind 119

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The UK offshore wind industry has agreed to work with the UK Government on a transformative Sector Deal, which it says could, by 2030, result in thousands of additional jobs in coastal areas, and billions of pounds worth of export opportunities. This deal aims to generate one third of the UK’s electricity from offshore wind by 2030. This will result in the industry more than doubling its capacity from 13 GW currently either in operation or contracted, to 30 GW by 2030.

The Sector’s engagement with the UK Government will be led by The Baroness Brown of Cambridge, who is the UK’s Low Carbon Business Ambassador and Vice Chair of the Committee on Climate Change. She said: “The challenge for the offshore wind industry and the UK 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.”

The industry has identified the potential to invest £48 billion in essential energy infrastructure by 2030, which could reduce overall electricity system costs by 9 per cent.