Expanding the UK’s offshore wind supply chain is a crucial part of rebuilding the UK’s economy during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth Kwasi Kwarteng.
Kwarteng, who was speaking on the third day of the RenewableUK online Global Offshore Wind 2020 conference, said: “Building the UK-based supply chain is key for me and government.
“We will encourage the growth of our world-leading supply chain.
“UK companies are already taking advantage of this and we have compelling and dynamic story in this area.”
He highlighted the key role of the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership, set up following the Offshore Wind Sector Deal by industry and government, in developing the supply chain.
“The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership is starting to bear fruit”, he said.
Kwarteng added that the government’s commitment to invest £160m in developing new infrastructure at UK ports would encourage further growth.
He said: “In spite of the pandemic, the offshore wind industry has continued to make strides forward.
“The Prime Minister has underlined the role of offshore wind as we rebuild our economy by confirming our target of 40GW of offshore wind by 2030 and a new ambition of 1GW of floating wind by that date.”
Kwarteng added that the UK is “well-placed to lead the world in fixed and floating offshore wind” in the future.
“I’ve been heartened by the positive reaction we have seen from developers, from the supply chain itself and from investors,” he said.
He also highlighted the industry’s newly-published best practice guide – ‘Diversity and Inclusion: Focusing on Gender and Ethnicity in the Offshore Wind Sector’.
“We can be proud that the sector is broadening its appeal and attracting people from diverse backgrounds,” the minister said.