Talking on the opening session of RenewableUK’s International Offshore Wind 2024 convention and exhibition at Manchester Central, RenewableUK’s Chief Govt Dan McGrail has known as for the sector to place the troubles of current years behind it.
His tackle got here a couple of days after the group printed a report displaying that world offshore wind operational capability had elevated by 21% during the last 12 months, from 61.5 gigawatts a yr in the past to 75GW at present.
He stated: “By no means earlier than has our convention taken place at a second when the content material of our conversations and the boldness of our management can have such a direct affect on the years forward.
“After a number of years of turmoil, we must always lastly be coming into an period the place wind power turns into the core of the power system. There isn’t a doubt our sector has had a bumpy couple of years. The jarring impact of inflation on provide chains around the globe has disrupted market costs, danger profiles and attitudes to the sector in contrast to something we’ve got seen earlier than within the business’s growth. But the market is popping the nook. Based on our new EnergyPulse report, the sector added 21% to its world put in capability within the final yr alone.
“Within the UK, we are able to look forward to a constructive public sale for brand new offshore wind initiatives in 2024, with practically 11 gigawatts of capability eligible to bid in, together with a wholesome mixture of established fixed-bottom initiatives in addition to modern floating wind initiatives.
“We’ve spent a lot of the final yr growing our offshore wind Industrial Development Plan. Financial development has been put on the coronary heart of this election and lots of others around the globe. After the UK election, the Secretary of State will arrive at a really early resolution about how a lot offshore wind to acquire this yr. With the appropriate backing, practically £30 billion of personal funding into renewables, throughout all applied sciences, may be secured this autumn, with an industrial plan to stimulate the roles and careers throughout Britain, kickstarting financial development and industrial reinvention”.
On the similar session, the President of COP26 and former Secretary of State for Enterprise, Power and Industrial Technique Sir Alok Sharma stated:
“The offshore wind sector has a significant position to play in making certain that the world meets its local weather and clear power targets. You will have come an extremely great distance in a couple of quick a long time. The applied sciences are right here – we simply must deploy them quicker to maintain on monitor for our 2030 objectives.
“We additionally know that your sector has confronted a triple whammy of headwinds during the last couple of years. These are rising pains – I do assume the sector has turned a nook and the basics are extremely robust.
“Your Industrial Development Plan units out very thoughtfully the right way to develop the UK offshore wind sector and guarantee we’ve got extra manufacturing right here , in addition to boosting jobs and funding”.
Extra particulars can be found right here on RenewableUK’s 2-day International Offshore Wind 2024 convention and exhibition in Manchester.
