With this deal the industry aims to generate one third of the UK’s electricity from offshore wind by 2030. This scaled up ambition, coupled with the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy, means the industry will more than double its capacity from 13GW deployed or contracted today, to 30GW by 2030.
This additional capacity will not only generate affordable and clean electricity for UK business and consumers, it will also have a direct impact on supply chain productivity and efficiency, benefitting other sectors as well as the UK’s ability to export.
The Sector’s engagement with the UK Government will be led by The Baroness Brown of Cambridge, who is the UK’s Low Carbon Business Ambassador and Vice Chair of the Committee on Climate Change.
Baroness Brown said: “The challenge for the offshore wind industry and Government is to ensure that we capitalise on our world-leading position in a highly competitive, global market and deliver on the huge potential for jobs, new infrastructure, exports and economic growth. This will also allow us to continue to achieve significant cost reductions, helping energy consumers.
“With an ambitious Sector Deal, we have the opportunity to take the next transformative steps together, enabling the offshore wind industry to help Government to achieve its clean growth ambitions in a way that boosts productivity and growth throughout the UK.”
Benj Sykes, Co-Chair of the Offshore Wind Industry Council1, said “We’re absolutely delighted that Baroness Brown will be championing this deal on behalf of our sector. She brings a wealth of experience from her positions across business, government and academia. Her knowledge and skills will be invaluable as we continue to work with the Government to deliver the UK’s Clean Growth Strategy.
“We’re working together as a Sector to partner with the UK Government and deliver our ambitious vision for the future of offshore wind. This deal comes at the right time for the Offshore Wind Sector; we have grown rapidly and reduced costs much faster than anticipated. The Sector is now at a critical turning point and must seize this opportunity to reach its full potential with a transformative deal. Our proposals show how the innovative offshore wind industry can drive economic growth throughout the UK, attracting billions in investment, driving growth in coastal communities which need new opportunities, whilst generating affordable and clean energy.”
The Sector is offering to make a number of new commitments from the industry to support the objectives of the Government’s Industrial Strategy; prioritising innovation, creating new business opportunities, generating high-quality jobs, helping communities to prosper and upgrading UK infrastructure.
For example, the industry has identified the potential to invest a further £48 billion in essential energy infrastructure by 2030, which could reduce overall electricity system costs by 9%.
The Sector’s analysis also shows how the growing global offshore wind market, expected to reach over £30 billion per annum by 2030, presents huge export opportunities for the UK. If a deal is agreed, the industry believes it can grow its export value five-fold by 2030.
The industry will now enter into a period of engagement with the UK Government on the prospectus.
Media contacts
Juliette Sanders, Ørsted: julsa@orsted.com, 07876 866 284
Rob Norris, Renewable UK: Robert.norris@renewableuk.com, 07969 229 913
Notes:
OWIC industry members are:
Benj Sykes, Ørsted – Co-Chair
Dan Finch, EDPR
Thomas Karst, MHI Vestas
Richard Turner, JDR Cables
Andrew Donaldson, Red Rock Power
Paul Cowling, Innogy
Jonathan Cole, ScottishPower Renewables
Clark MacFarlane, Siemens Gamesa
Huub den Rooijen, Crown Estate
Ronnie Quinn, Crown Estate Scotland
Matthieu Hue, EDF-ER
Andrew Jamieson, ORE Catapult
Hugh McNeal, Renewable UK
Halfdan Brustad, Statoil
Piers Guy, Vattenfall
Paul Cooley, SSE
Sven Utermöhlen, Eon
Matthew Wright, Ørsted
1The Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) is a senior government and industry forum including members from across the offshore wind industry.