Several organisations across England, Wales, and Scotland are due to share £5 million in funding through the Crown Estate’s innovative Supply Chain Accelerator program.

The funding will enable the development of projects established earlier this year to accelerate and reduce the risk of early-stage development of UK supply chain projects that support the offshore wind industry. The Crown Estate’s match funding will provide a combined investment of over £9 million and if the opportunities progress through the development stages, it could result in more than £400 million of capital.

The projects securing funding include those with floating wind platforms, anchoring and mooring systems, operations and maintenance projects, test facilities and projects supporting the skills transition.

Earlier this year, the Crown Estate published the Celtic Sea Blueprint, which suggested that over 5000 jobs and a £1.4 economic injection could be provided through the deployment of the first floating offshore wind capacity generated from the current Leasing Round 5 process in the coastal areas in South Wales and the South West of UK.

The research emphasised a number of opportunities in supply chain development, critical for the deployment of floating wind projects, including floating components, cables and connections. Successful projects were assessed on criteria, one of which was the potential to meet the requirements of the Celtic Sea Blueprint.

The Crown Estate’s role is to deliver long-term value for the nation and is focused on using the land and seabed to manage and support net zero, restoring nature and delivering communities to enable economic growth. Supporting the development of the offshore wind industry’s domestic supply chain by partnering with industry and government partners represents a significant part of these goals.

The UK is a global leader in offshore wind, and according to the Crown Estate UK Offshore Wind Report, the pipeline increased by 10GW in 2023 to 93GW, with the industry generating 49TWh of electricity last year. These figures come as the UK Government proceeds with plans with GB Energy, including prioritising a new partnership with the Crown Estate to support the increased delivery of clean energy infrastructure.

Ben Brinded, Head of Investment at the Crown Estate, explains that this is a critical time for the Crown Estate, with their first funding towards the UK’s offshore wind supply chain. As summarised by the Government Industrial Strategy, to enable the UK to achieve the economic benefits associated with the clean energy industry, particularly offshore wind, there must be structured and established investment plans which enable public and private capital. The Supply Chain Accelerator represents part of the ongoing dialogue between the Crown Estate and the offshore wind industry, along with key stakeholders, enabling the identification of opportunities to allow sustainable investments into the UK offshore wind supply chain. 

Energy Minister Michael Shanks explains that the clean energy goals have considerable potential to increase supply chains, deliver skilled jobs and boost growth nationwide. The investment secured from the Crown Estate will support businesses nationwide and apply their manufacturing skills to enable the UK to become a leader in delivering innovative floating offshore wind projects. GB Energy will support this innovation by partnering with the Crown Estate to drive further offshore wind projects, enabling properties and businesses to avoid reliance on fossil fuels.

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