Regional Growth Prospectuses released today by the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) and The Crown Estate set out how coastal regions around the country can expand their activities in key parts of the UK’s rapidly-growing offshore wind supply chain. This would create and sustain an additional 10,000 new jobs, on top of the 100,000 already expected in the industry, and boost the UK’s economy by over £25 billion between now and 2035.
The prospectuses build on the sector’s Industrial Growth Plan (IGP) for offshore wind, which set out national priorities to maximise growth by manufacturing key components such as turbine towers, blades, foundations and cables, as well as building and maintaining offshore wind farms and providing high-value services such as environmental surveying. Ports are vital to maximise the opportunities set out in the Industrial Growth Plan and are highlighted in the prospectuses, reflecting their significant role in driving economic and industrial development.
Each prospectus is tailored to a specific offshore wind “cluster” - a coastal region where companies involved in the sector are already concentrated, and where there is an expectation that other firms will join them as the industry’s supply chain continues to grow. The idea was initiated by the clusters themselves in the OWIC clusters forum, and they have all been involved in the project to compile the prospectuses:
The South East of England has also been included in this work, recognising its offshore wind capabilities and opportunities. The prospectuses contain detailed analyses of the coastal regions which are best placed to undertake each specific activity set out in the IGP, including where the UK could build on existing facilities where huge components such as blades and cables are already being manufactured at scale and exported worldwide.
For example, clusters in the Humber, the north east of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland have opportunities to focus on advanced turbine technology including manufacturing blades and turbine towers, as this would add up to £8bn to the UK economy over the next ten years.
Seven clusters aim to develop new capabilities in turbine foundations (including massive substructures for floating offshore wind), adding up to £12 billion between now and 2035.
Four clusters are targeting the cables and electrical systems needed to meet our offshore wind ambitions, adding up to £3.4bn.
There are major opportunities in seven clusters to expand activity installing, operating and maintaining offshore wind farms, worth £2bn, and five clusters could become centres for environmental services worth £0.5bn.
RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Jane Cooper, a Director of the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), said:
“These prospectuses show in detail how the UK can secure billions in new investment in offshore wind manufacturing and servicing in key locations around the country, building on our strengths and successes to date, providing clarity for Government and industry. Working with The Crown Estate and the clusters, OWIC has been able to set out which high-value components and services are the best fit for each area. Many of these clusters are already hosting a wide range of offshore wind supply chain companies serving projects here and exporting goods and expertise worldwide, but we can ramp up these activities to a significantly higher level, as these prospectuses demonstrate”.
Will Apps, Offshore Wind Strategy Director at The Crown Estate, said:
“These prospectuses showcase the exciting investment opportunities possible through developing the UK’s domestic offshore wind supply chain, creating jobs and economic growth across the country. Critically, the prospectuses seek to unlock the link between the potential strengths of individual regions and set these against the wider domestic and export market opportunity, supporting onshore communities in realising the local economic benefit offshore wind can bring.”
Energy Minister Michael Shanks, OWIC Government Vice-Chair said:
“The clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century. Our clean power mission isn’t just about delivering energy security and renewable energy to UK homes and businesses; it is also creating jobs and driving investment in our industrial heartlands. Communities are right at the heart of this energy transition, and that’s what these reports show – coastal communities from the North East of Scotland to the South West of England are benefitting from clean, high-skilled jobs in the offshore wind sector.”
The Offshore Wind Industry Council’s Cluster Workstream Sponsor Virginia Ruiz, Co-CEO UK and Ireland of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, commented:
“These prospectuses highlight the pivotal role coastal communities play in advancing the UK's clean energy transition while unlocking substantial economic and industrial benefits. We hope that the Government will integrate these insights in the blueprint for its Industrial Strategy this summer, complemented by a comprehensive skills development plan. Such an approach will not only empower communities across the UK with new employment opportunities but also position the nation to capitalize on the projected economic boost from offshore wind supply chain enhancements by 2040.”
The Offshore Wind Industry Council’s Cluster Workstream Chair and Humber Offshore Wind Cluster Champion Emma Toulson said:
The Humber Offshore Wind Cluster is a well-established offshore wind cluster already operating eight offshore wind farms with a further five in development and construction. Our Cluster partners, which include education and training providers, public sector, original equipment manufacturers and suppliers have been at the heart of our success so far and are critical for the region and the UK’s future success and growth in this expanding industry. Our new regional prospectus will support us with our next steps in identifying future supply chain opportunities rooted in our strong existing capabilities. As chair of the Offshore Wind Industry Council Clusters Forum, it has been great to collectively initiate this work with the UK Offshore Wind Clusters to produce a set of regional prospectuses for each cluster using the Industrial Growth Plan. These prospectuses will provide each cluster with a clear focus on which major opportunities to target to grow their supply chain.
Steven Jermy, CEO of Celtic Sea Power and Chair of the Celtic Sea Cluster, said:
“Celtic Sea Cluster partners have been working together for over 5 years to bring floating offshore wind to the Celtic Sea and, with it, regional economic development and jobs opportunities that are generational in nature. It is extremely encouraging, therefore, to see confirmed in the Regional Growth Prospectus how far our region has come. Clockwise from Pembrokeshire, through the Swansea Bay City Region, the Cardiff Capital Region, the West of England Combined Mayoral Authority, the Great South West, down as far as Cornwall, teamwork across our region has been key. Our priority, as we await the results of Seabed Leasing Round 5, is now to support the Celtic Sea’s five test & demonstration projects and the upgrading of our regional ports that provide the essential launchpad of the offshore works to come. We are under no illusions about the challenge thereafter of deploying up to 17GW in the Celtic Sea, but it is one we will be ready to meet. We will explain how we will do this in an updated Celtic Sea Cluster Regional Strategy, to be published this Summer, for which the Regional Growth Prospectus is a defining source.”
Emma Harrick, Director of Energy Transition and Supply Chain at Scottish Renewables, who leads The Clean Energy Cluster, said:
“As outlined in the Regional Growth Prospectus, Scotland has a wealth of renewable energy know-how stretching to all corners of the country. The Highlands and Islands offer immense potential with their deep-water ports while Aberdeenshire brings world-class energy and maritime capability. Fife can draw on its critical manufacturing expertise while the Central Belt will continue to serve as a thriving hub of innovation and expertise. It is impossible to sum up the strength and depth, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit, of our supply chain across 12 pages. But the prospectus is a rousing snapshot of our world class capabilities underscoring the size of the opportunity that is set to come our way.”
Gillian Morrison, Supply Chain, Crown Estate Scotland, said:
“Scotland’s portfolio of fixed and floating offshore wind projects is at the forefront of the UK’s offshore wind transformation. These prospectuses highlight how targeted investment in infrastructure, innovation and workforce development can unlock significant economic value. The Clean Energy Cluster and supply chain in Scotland is a key enabler of the UK’s clean energy future, combining world-class subsea expertise and a growing network of strategically located ports and manufacturing hubs.”
The Chair of the EastWind Cluster, Denise Hone, said:
“The regional growth prospectus compiled for the east of England shows how vast the opportunities are for investment in the area, highlighting the unique and expansive supply chain in addition to core growth areas. Working with the Offshore Wind Industry Council and The Crown Estate to create this insight at both a local and national level has only further cemented what we knew to be true about what the eastern regions capability has to offer the sector.”
Representing the Energi Coast Cluster, the Chief Executive of NOF, Joanne Leng MBE, said:
“Energi Coast, North East England’s offshore wind cluster has over 25 years’ worth of experience in offshore wind and this prospectus demonstrates the depth of expertise and experience in the region. The Crown Estate has identified the North East of England as a priority area for offshore wind in the UK for future developments and this evidence base allows the region to plough ahead with attracting further leasing rounds for both shallow and deepwater projects that will bring jobs, economic wealth, and social value to our Coastal Communities.”
Stephen Kane, Chair of the Northern Ireland Maritime & Offshore cluster (NIMO) and MD of Ridgeway Rockbags said:
“We’re pleased to see Northern Ireland recognised in this regional update to the Industrial Growth Plan - an acknowledgment of the growing strength and strategic value of the Northern Ireland Maritime & Offshore (NIMO) cluster. As a region with a proven track record in offshore engineering, world-class manufacturing capabilities, and the deep-water assets of Belfast Harbour, Northern Ireland is well-placed to play a pivotal role in the offshore wind supply chain. That NIMO is now featured alongside the UK’s most established clusters is a testament not only to the region’s potential, but to the power collaborative, cross-sector networks. Since its launch last year, NIMO has continued to gain momentum, drawing together partners from across industry, academia and government to unlock investment and drive long-term growth.”
Helen K Thomas (RWE) and Stuart Barnes (EnBW) - co-chairs of The Offshore Energy Alliance (OEA) cluster praised the work of the Regional Growth Prospectuses and the definitions they offer for distinct regions of the country:
“The work undertaken has highlighted the unique capabilities that each region has to offer the UK offshore wind opportunity. In addition and crucially, it links the impressive work of the Industrial Growth Plan to the deliverables that each cluster should strive to achieve, to ensure that we each play our role in the wider mechanics of success. For the OEA region, there is a focus on growing jobs, skills and capability in: Future Electrical Systems & Cables, Smart Environmental Services, Next Generation Installation, O&M & Decommissioning, Ports and Industrialised Foundations & Substructures. It is an absolute pleasure to co-lead this cluster in a region that is no stranger to offshore wind and has a huge amount to offer, if collectively we can deliver on the findings of the prospectus and on what is needed for UK plc."
Ophelia Maxwell, Offshore Wind Delivery Programme Manager at RenewableUK and the Offshore Wind Industry Council's Clusters Workstream Delivery Lead said:
“Recognising the notable collaboration across the UK offshore wind clusters to deliver these prospectuses, they highlight regional supply chain capabilities and port opportunities, which in turn will support national growth. By targeting investment into these coastal communities using national frameworks and government strategies, we hope to see how the UK can unlock significant economic and industrial benefits for the future”.
The prospectuses and more details on the clusters are available here.
