Latest news with #RenewableUK
Reuters
04-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Britain launches strategy to expand onshore wind, create jobs
LONDON, July 4 (Reuters) - Britain is launching its first ever onshore wind strategy, designed to boost renewable power capacity and increase jobs in the sector, the government said on Friday. Britain is aiming to largely decarbonise its electricity sector by 2030 as part of efforts to meet its climate goals, boost energy security and reduce power costs by curbing its reliance on expensive fossil fuels. 'Rolling out more onshore wind is a no-brainer – it's one of our cheapest technologies, quick to build, supports thousands of skilled jobs and can provide clean energy directly to the communities hosting it,' Energy Minister Michael Shanks said in a statement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The government said the move could help create around 45,000 jobs. Under the strategy it is launching 40 actions to help boost onshore wind projects such as offering funding for things like football pitches or libraries in communities hosting the projects, working to repower existing wind turbines coming to the end of their lifespans and improving the planning process for new projects. 'The measures outlined will increase confidence among investors and developers, so that we can attract billions in private investment and create thousands of highly-skilled jobs and new supply chains all over the country,' James Robottom, Head of Onshore Wind Delivery at industry group RenewableUK said in the government statement. Britain currently has around 16 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind power but is targeting 27-29 GW by 2030.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Britain launches strategy to expand onshore wind, create jobs
By Susanna Twidale LONDON (Reuters) -Britain is launching its first ever onshore wind strategy, designed to boost renewable power capacity and increase jobs in the sector, the government said on Friday. Britain is aiming to largely decarbonise its electricity sector by 2030 as part of efforts to meet its climate goals, boost energy security and reduce power costs by curbing its reliance on expensive fossil fuels. 'Rolling out more onshore wind is a no-brainer – it's one of our cheapest technologies, quick to build, supports thousands of skilled jobs and can provide clean energy directly to the communities hosting it,' Energy Minister Michael Shanks said in a statement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The government said the move could help create around 45,000 jobs. Under the strategy it is launching 40 actions to help boost onshore wind projects such as offering funding for things like football pitches or libraries in communities hosting the projects, working to repower existing wind turbines coming to the end of their lifespans and improving the planning process for new projects. 'The measures outlined will increase confidence among investors and developers, so that we can attract billions in private investment and create thousands of highly-skilled jobs and new supply chains all over the country,' James Robottom, Head of Onshore Wind Delivery at industry group RenewableUK said in the government statement. Britain currently has around 16 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind power but is targeting 27-29 GW by 2030. (Reporting By Susanna Twidale; Editing by Hugh Lawson) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
South Wales Argus
25-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Offshore wind plan to boost Welsh economy and jobs
Unveiled by the Welsh Government's Offshore Wind task and finish group, the strategy sets out steps to harness more than 15GW of offshore wind capacity. It follows the announcement of two successful floating wind projects totalling 3GW in the Celtic Sea, with a third site expected to bring the total to 4.5GW. Ajai Ahluwalia, head of supply chain at RenewableUK, said: "We are pleased to see clear, practical actions that respond directly to industry calls for greater certainty, stronger collaboration, and urgent delivery. "Offshore wind is one of the UK's greatest industrial opportunities — with the potential to transform Wales' heartland sectors, like steel and advanced manufacturing. "To unlock that value, we must now move swiftly from planning to implementation — and industry stands ready to work with government to make it happen." The plan includes long-term revenue support, planning reforms, port upgrades, and supply chain development. It also calls for streamlined regulatory processes and a dedicated Welsh Ports Prospectus to attract investment and promote infrastructure. The Welsh Government will establish an implementation team to ensure the plan is delivered.
Business News Wales
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Wind Industry Marks 10 Years of Growth
The UK's wind industry is celebrating a decade of substantial growth and progress as it marks the tenth anniversary of Wind Energy Week. Running until 29 June, Wind Energy Week is an industry initiative showcasing the sector's achievements across the last ten years, including: Doubling the UK's wind generation capacity, from 13.4GW in 2015 to over 30GW in 2025. Providing 30% of the country's electricity in 2024, a year which also saw wind overtake gas generation for the first time. Growing its supply chain to almost 2,000 companies, located across more than 70 parliamentary constituencies throughout the country. Increasing its workforce to over 55,000 people. Investing more than £550 million in local communities via community benefit funds. In 2024, wind generated more electricity than gas for the first year ever, providing 30% of the country's electricity, and this year's Wind Energy Week arrives at a time of heightened activity across both government and industry. The UK Government's new industrial strategy identifies clean energy as one of the sectors with the highest growth opportunity for the economy and business, and RenewableUK has now published the results of a mapping exercise of the industry's supply chain. Utilising RenewableUK's EnergyPulse market dataset, the map highlights the locations of the industry's 1,996 supply chain companies, with a significant presence in over 70 parliamentary constituencies, and categorises them according to a diverse range of activities, from environmental surveying and site design, to blade and cable manufacturing. Alongside this, the map outlines the parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland servicing the UK's world-leading offshore wind sector, where seven coastal regions known as industrial 'clusters' have developed through a concentration of companies involved in the industry, and where there is an expectation that other firms will join them as the supply chain continues to grow. The map also charts the growth of the wind industry's workforce, following publication of a new report from RenewableUK and the Offshore Wind Industry Council which shows that the number of people working in the sector now stands at over 55,000. Published last week, the Wind Industry Skills Intelligence Report 2025 reveals that the number of people working in the offshore wind industry has grown to just under 40,000, having risen by 24% from around 32,000 two years ago, while there are a little over 15,000 working in onshore wind. In line with Government targets to reach clean power within the next five years, the report's projections show that between 74,000 and 95,000 people will be needed to support the accelerated deployment of offshore wind by the end of the decade, while the number of jobs in onshore wind will rise to over 19,000. In addition, Wind Energy Week will see a focus on how wind energy supports nature and local communities throughout the country, through a range of initiatives such as community benefit funds (CBFs) for communities closest to onshore wind farms, local electricity discount schemes, and local or shared ownership models. Taking community benefits alone, RenewableUK estimates that more than £550 million has been invested through CBFs since 2015, and this figure is expected to rise to £150 million annually if Government ambitions to 2030 are met. Commenting on the anniversary, RenewableUK's Executive Director for Policy and Engagement Ana Musat said: 'Wind Energy Week is a great occasion to celebrate the growth, and impact of our sector, as we reflect on a number of recent publications that showcase the growth and geographical spread of the supply chain, the substantial job creation this has entailed, as well as the diverse range of support for nature and communities across the country that our sector provides. 'This week is a unique opportunity to celebrate how far we've come in the last ten years, breaking barriers many said were impossible in such a short space of time. But there is a lot more to do, as we look to ensuring we deliver on the Government's ambitions to 2030 and welcome the arrival of its Industrial Strategy and imminent publication of its Onshore Wind Strategy and Low Carbon Flexibility Roadmap.'
North Wales Chronicle
17-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Public-private deal to invest £1bn in offshore wind supply chains unveiled
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the 'unprecedented' collaboration would help deliver clean energy jobs, energy security and lower bills, with investment in areas such as Teeside, Scotland, South Wales and East Anglia. In addition to previously-announced funding of £300 million from publicly-owned Great British Energy, the Crown Estate has pledged £400 million to support new infrastructure including ports, supply chain manufacturing and research and testing facilities. And £300 million from industry would match government funding, to deliver investments into supply chains such as advanced turbine technology and offshore wind turbine foundations, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'This is an unprecedented collaboration between public and private investors with Great British Energy crowding in millions of private sector investment from industry and the Crown Estate, to ensure that British companies and workers win the global race for clean energy. 'We are witnessing the coming of age of Britain's green industrial revolution as we build this new era of clean energy abundance, helping deliver new jobs, energy security and lower households' bills.' Industry body RenewableUK's deputy chief executive Jane Cooper said: 'A concerted focus from industry and Government on growing the offshore wind industry's supply chain in the UK could deliver an extra 10,000 jobs between now and 2035, boosting the UK's economy by £25 billion. £1 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐊 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬 – RenewableUK and Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) Media Release Today at RenewableUK's Global… — RenewableUK (@RenewableUK) June 17, 2025 'Our sector is stepping up, working closely with the Energy Secretary and the Crown Estate to create new opportunities for manufacturing high-value goods like turbine towers, blades, foundations and cables, and providing high-quality jobs building, operating and maintaining offshore wind farms.' In addition to the £1 billion funding, which has not yet been allocated to specific projects, the Government has announced it will allocate up to £544 million from its 'clean industry bonus'. The bonus scheme provides funding to offshore wind developers for prioritising investment in some of the UK's most deprived communities and in cleaner supply chains, with companies pledging to invest in regions such as Scotland, the North East and East Anglia. Up to £200 million has been allocated to clean energy facilities such as electrical equipment and heavy steel products in the North East, unlocking up to £4 billion in private sector investment, while up to £185 million will go to Scotland, unlocking up to £3.5 billion for ports and wind farm components. Great British Energy, @OWGPUK, @NatWealthFund, @thebankscot, @TheCrownEstate, @crownestatescot & @devbankwales have agreed to work together to support the UK's offshore wind. By coordinating our efforts, we'll give developers & supply chains confidence to invest in the sector. — Great British Energy (@GBEgovuk) June 17, 2025 The East of England will get up to £20 million from the bonus, and Northern Ireland has been allocated £25 million, with industry estimating the cash could support up to 14,000 jobs and drive up to £9 billion of private funding into the regions over the next four years. The funding will be delivered through the contracts for difference scheme, which pays clean energy developers an agreed price for the power they produce from their projects, and will be allocated to companies that are successful in the next round of auctions for the contracts. Those projects that win contracts in the auction can then finalise their investment into clean energy manufacturing factories, DESNZ said. The funding for the clean industry bonus would be paid for through bills, adding less than £2 a year over the next four years, officials said.
