The offshore wind industry in the UK is a leader globally in the renewables industry. The government has recently backed a new deal that will ensure that offshore wind in the UK stays the front runner in the market. Due to our geography and large amount of coastline, our island currently has the largest offshore wind capacity in Europe.
£250million has been promised to companies in the UK that are producing new technologies, such as floating wind turbines and robotics. The deal is important for the industry to remain in the lead when it comes to wind power. It will also allow advancements in technology and cut the costs of mass producing them.
The deal will allow the sector to grow and surpass the electricity produced from fossil fuels for the first time in the UK. Not only will technology grow but also job opportunities within the industry with job numbers potentially tripling by 2030, especially in coastal areas. These jobs are attractive to the younger generation with many young people becoming increasingly interested in playing a part in the future of green power and the rapid increase in the numbers of apprenticeship roles. Both the construction and the renewable energy sectors are hoping to encourage more women into these green job roles to create more diversity.
Claire Perry said:
“Ambitious plans to increase the proportion of women working in the offshore wind sector and triple the number of highly skilled jobs are set to be announced”
The future of nuclear and coal is under threat with coal plants shutting down and plans for new nuclear plants not going ahead due to construction budget issues and exorbitantly high running costs. There will be a growing gap in the market for more energy that is primed for renewables. It is hoped that wind power can be tripled but 30gw by 2030 will not be enough to meet the energy need gap. Wind power will need to be vastly increased to meet the energy needs left by the lack of nuclear power and storage may well play a growing part in this.
The funding for wind projects and the use of British parts and labour will ensure that as more countries invest in similar projects, the UK is still the leader when it comes to wind power.
Benj Sykes of Danish company Orstead commented:
“The cost reduction over the last few years has been eye-watering but it’s absolutely not over. We will continue to see bigger turbines, smarter electrical systems, more reliable equipment. The fact that the Government is saying that it wants to build out to 30GW gives investors confidence to build their capabilities in the UK,”
