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.”
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