UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce plans for a £160m boost for the UK offshore wind industry in his Conservative Party conference speech later today.
Johnson will reiterate that the government is committed to raising its target for offshore wind power capacity by 2030 from 30GW to 40GW as part of a plan to “Build Back Greener”.
The £160m will be invested in upgrades to ports and factories, in northern England as well as Wales and Scotland, for building turbines and will create up to 2000 jobs in construction.
Responding to the government’s proposals Vattenfall UK country manager Danielle Lane said: “The ambition signalled by the Prime Minister – to drastically increase the UK’s offshore wind generation and boost the infrastructure, skills, and supply chain jobs needed alongside it – shows that this is the industry on which the country’s future will be built.
She added: “But for the rhetoric to become reality, it’s important that the government doesn’t overlook some significant hurdles.
“Planning decisions still take far too long, meaning renewable energy projects can be left in limbo for years before they know whether they will be approved.
“We also need to see a clear strategy in the forthcoming Energy White Paper that goes beyond just thinking about how to make electricity generation greener, and sets out how low-carbon power – including technologies such as onshore wind and solar – will be used to decarbonise industry and transport.”
Orsted UK region head Duncan Clark said: “Offshore wind is the most cost effective way to achieve the UK’s net zero ambitions and delivering 40GW of offshore wind by 2030 is an essential part of this roadmap.
“This is a challenging target but achievable if government and the industry continue to work together to accelerate deployment and build out the UK project pipeline as quickly as possible, regenerating coastal communities while expediting our progress to a more sustainable, low-carbon future.”
Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) industry chair Benj Sykes said: “Offshore wind is on track to become the backbone of Britain’s electricity system, providing reliable, low-cost clean power to homes and businesses across the country.
“The industry is investing tens of billions of pounds in new offshore wind projects, supporting local economies and employment in communities across the UK.
“Our global leadership in offshore wind, coupled with new support for investment in ports, will help unlock the huge opportunity for the UK to build a world-leading, competitive supply chain.”
RenewableUK chief executive Hugh McNeal said: “The government has raised the ambition for offshore wind and renewables, and our industry is ready to meet the challenge.
“A green recovery with renewables at its heart will be good for consumers and jobs, as well as helping to meet our 2050 net zero emissions target.
“Support for new floating wind projects will ensure the UK stays at the forefront of global innovation in renewables and provides new opportunities in the low carbon transition.”