UK outlines long-term strategy to boost offshore wind energy

UK government has outlined a long-term strategy to strengthen offshore wind industry in the country and to add nearly £7bn in national economy by 2020.

The federal government’s plan in association with domestic business also includes multi-million pound investment in the industry.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Energy Secretary Ed Davey announced the strategy during the official opening of the Lincs wind farm off the coast of Lincolnshire, developed by Centrica with their project partners DONG Energy and Siemens.

Government investments include £20m from the Regional Growth Fund towards improvement of the UK wind industry’s supply chain, and £46m collaboration between industry, government and academia to support companies to bring new products to market.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said that with island location and suitable weather, the UK is an ideal place for offshore wind energy and the strategy is to be world leaders in the industry.

"This strategy will help keep Britain as the world leader in one of the most important industries of the 21st Century. If we make the most of offshore wind’s potential in the UK, it can provide a big proportion of the energy that lights our homes and powers our economy," added Clegg.

UK has recently formed a new Offshore Wind Investment Organisation aimed attracting inward investment to the country.

The Green Investment Bank (GIB), meanwhile, has plans to invest a significant part of its £3.8bn capital in offshore wind, co-investing in projects with commercial parties, the authorities stated.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "We have more offshore wind power than the rest of the world combined and, if we get it right and strike now, we will also see this new technology creating thousands of jobs here as well."

The industry is claimed to have a potential to create about 30,000 jobs in the country.

Welcoming government’s move to further offshore wind energy in the UK, RenewableUK chief executive Maria McCaffery noted: This document is a blueprint for green-collar job creation which, as long as its recommendations are fully implemented, will ensure that Britain reaps the once-in-a-lifetime benefits offered by our world-leading offshore wind sector."