The Government has today published its Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, setting out its vision for how government and industry can strengthen the UK’s position in the offshore wind industry.
Responding to publication of the Strategy, SSE said:
"The UK is currently a world leader in offshore wind, and has the potential to cement its position by building a domestic industrial and skills base to support the offshore industry over the long term. The industry has always maintained that the UK can create a virtuous circle in which increased deployment leads to cost reductions and further investment in supply chain facilities, innovation and further deployment. This investment would be worth billions of pounds to the UK economy and create thousands of jobs.
"However, the industry needs long-term certainty that there will be a market for offshore wind in the UK, both to 2020 and beyond, before it can make this investment. The Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy usefully sets out the UK Government's view on the potential for the sector, but there is an urgent need for more detail about the future, including clarity on the new Contracts for Difference support mechanism, if the industry is to maintain momentum and a prolonged investment hiatus is to be avoided.