The Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) has launched a £100 million programme to help British companies develop their services and export them around the world.
According to the OWIC, the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) programme will provide “practical help” and support more than 650 firms to access the domestic offshore wind market, as well as creating new export opportunities.
But in response, the GMB trade union claimed that the benefits from the boom in offshore wind have mainly passed the UK workforce and economy by.
The OWIC said it will also enable companies from other sectors to enter the offshore wind supply chain and “inspire” companies to develop the next generation of products and services.
It is part of the recent sector deal between industry and government, which will see at least 30GW of offshore wind installed by 2030, generating a third of the UK’s electricity.
The deal will also see UK content in our offshore wind farms increase from 48 per cent currently to 60 per cent by 2030.
The OWGP will be delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult which will provide support to supply chain companies to enable them to grow and to increase their competitiveness.
“The offshore wind industry is offering multi-million pound opportunities to hundreds of innovative companies throughout the UK in the years ahead – including new entrants to the market as well as firms already working in this area,” said OWIC chair and Ørsted UK country manager for offshore, Benj Sykes.
“The OWGP will provide practical help for UK companies so they can compete successfully for contracts in this thriving global market. The UK’s global pre-eminence in offshore wind means we are uniquely placed to sell our innovative products and services worldwide.”
The general secretary of the GMB, Justin Bowden said: “There are no two ways about it, to date the majority of the potential benefits from the boom in offshore wind, and renewables in general, have passed the UK workforce and economy by.
“Look no further than the yards lying idle in Fife as contracts go offshore to Spain, Indonesia and the Middle East.
“Securing decent jobs in the renewables industry and its supply chain, and fairness in how decarbonisation costs are met, is now paramount,” added Bowden.