UK offshore wind industry launches a blueprint for success
SECTOR DEAL FOCUS HERALDED AT COP26 AS GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY AND BEST PRACTICES OUTLINED
THE UK’s offshore wind industry has produced “a blueprint for other countries” as success of the green energy adoption and acceleration is documented. Building on the progress made to and since the sector deal was achieved in 2019, and celebrated with then-Prime Minister Theresa May visiting Orsted’s East Coast Hub in Grimsby, the publication came on the day that COP26 focused on the pace of the global transition to clean energy.
Offshore Wind: Building on the UK’s Success has been produced by the government and industry forum Offshore Wind Industry Council. Not only does enhancing the global opportunity pave the way for rapid decarbonisation, but opens up knowledge, product and service export opportunities for British businesses now established in a maturing industry.
Co-chair Danielle Lane, Vattenfall’s UK country manager, said: “A shared vision and effective collaboration with Government and a wide range of stakeholders have helped our industry to accelerate the UK’s terrific progress in offshore wind since the Sector Deal was agreed.
“This report can act as a blueprint for other countries as they discuss the transition to clean energy at COP26 today.
“It contains insights into how to overcome the challenges faced by offshore wind developers, as well as how to maximise the opportunities on offer for all those working in our modern energy sector.”
It documents how cost has fallen by 65 per cent since 2015, to less than £40 per MWh.
Ms Lane added: “We have learned valuable lessons during our two decades of offshore wind growth in UK waters, and we look forward to sharing our advice and expertise with others during COP26, so that they can emulate our success.
“We can help them on that journey by exporting our unrivalled offshore wind know-how, goods, and services worldwide, bringing benefits to everyone.”
The report outlines initiatives continuing across the industry to work on the key parts of the Sector Deal – creating jobs, growing the UK supply chain, building up centres of offshore wind excellence in coastal communities, accelerating technical innovation, upgrading the grid, promoting diversity and protecting the natural environment.
It also highlights the fact that offshore wind forms the backbone of the UK’s commitment to net zero by 2050 and the UK Prime Minister’s vision for a Green Industrial Revolution - said by those close to government to be based on the Humber’s lead.
The technology is also at the heart of a green economic recovery after the pandemic.
A total of 26,000 people work in the UK offshore wind sector and this is set to rise to 69,000 over the next five years.
The UK-based supply chain is growing rapidly, as major investment announcements in new factory facilities totalling over £900 million have been made this year, creating and securing more than 2,500 new jobs in our manufacturing sector alone - much of which is in the Humber and North East.
RWE’s Triton Knoll is the cover star, one of the latest wind farms to complete construction, served out of Grimsby and located off the Lincolnshire coast.
Pre-assembly and load-out was conducted at Able Seaton Port in the North East.
Hull’s expanding Siemens Gamesa blade plant gets the first mention in the 21-page document., which states how the UK has “already done the heavy lifting with our early pathfinder projects at the start of the millennium and the spectacular cost reductions we have achieved since then by scaling up exponentially and by learning by doing”.
It goes on to document workstreams to overcome issues, with former Grimsby MP and now RenewableUK deputy chief executive Melanie Onn leading on people and skills.
She said: “Clarity over timing, scale and location of the UK pipeline enables the industry to focus on developing a diverse and inclusive culture which attracts and supports people from the whole of society.
“It means ensuring that we can support movement through the Just Transition, encouraging everyone from those in their first careers to career changers to make this the industry of their preferred choice.”