RenewableUK has welcomed UK Government funding to SeAH Wind and Smulders Projects UK to create and secure more than 1000 offshore wind supply chain manufacturing jobs in the Humber and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
They will each receive undisclosed amounts from the Government’s £160m Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme, which will support the private investment by both companies.
SeAH Wind is to receive grant funding towards a new monopile foundation factory at the Able Marine Energy Park on the Humber, creating up to 750 direct jobs by 2030.
A UK-based subsidiary of SeAH Steel Holdings, SeAH Wind has committed to invest a total of £260m over the next three years and will be the sole monopile supplier in the country.
Smulders Projects UK will receive funding towards a £70m investment in new equipment and infrastructure to enable the manufacture of offshore wind turbine transition pieces at its existing site in Wallsend, Newcastle, creating and safeguarding up to 325 direct jobs.
RenewableUK’s CEO Dan McGrail (pictured) said: “Today’s announcements show what can be achieved by industry and Government working together to create new opportunities in parts of the country which need levelling up most.
“The offshore wind sector is delivering industrial benefits to the UK, reinvigorating coastal communities and growing a globally competitive supply chain.
“Private companies are investing billions in innovative clean technology and creating tens of thousands of high-quality jobs, and this is underpinned by the Government’s commitment to quadruple our offshore wind capacity by 2030.
“Today’s announcement provides vital new industrial capacity which will help us achieve that goal.
“This is a landmark year for renewable energy with the UK hosting the COP26 summit in November – announcements like this demonstrate what building back better after the pandemic looks like in practice.”