The UK offshore wind supply chain industry remains confident despite challenging times. In a recent survey by ORE Catapult, 80% of businesses from the offshore renewables industry stated that they expect to increase their offshore wind workforce within the next one to three years.

The offshore wind industry faces a challenging end to the year, with a series of setbacks potentially threatening the final date. Recently, Denmark’s largest North Sea wind energy tender, which launched in April and incorporated three sites across the North Sea, secured no bids, with the deadline expiring last week. Many say the lack of interest was due to rising prices, increasing interest rates and supply chain challenges. 

Similar issues impacted US offshore wind project development this year, particularly with the recent election of Trump, who has voiced his commitment to scrapping offshore wind energy projects. In the UK, the lack of port infrastructure and ongoing skills shortages have been considered key problems for the industry.

Despite the challenges mentioned, the new report by ORE Catapult suggests that the national offshore wind supply chain remains positive despite these testing times and suggests confidence for future growth. The Offshore Wind Supply Chain Confidence Survey, delivered from September to November, gained input from over 150 offshore businesses. The report highlighted that 80% of respondents from the offshore wind industry said they expected to increase their offshore wind workforce within the next few years, and 54% indicated rising confidence in the sector, compared to 48% in 2023.
ORE Catapult explains that businesses predominantly focused on offshore oil and gas, views are more mixed. Still, respondents from oil and gas businesses remain optimistic about future growth in offshore wind.

Andy Macdonald, director of development and operations at ORE Catapult, believes there have been challenges in the industry over the last year, but there remains good resilience within the supply chain. With eight out of ten offshore wind supply chain businesses expecting business to grow over the next few years is something that many other industries would be very encouraged to see. 

Macdonald adds more work is required to deliver this growth. Barriers, like the lack of a skilled workforce, available funding and access to opportunities. For example, 46% of respondents stated that skills shortages are critically impacting potential future growth. The survey also emphasised data from the 2023 Offshore Wind Skills Intelligence Report published by the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC). This report advised that the industry must retain nearly 10,000 workers each year to keep the project pipeline active. To achieve this, ORE Catapult believes in establishing stronger partnerships, focusing on a just transition and delivering a diverse and inclusive sector. Securing 5% of employees on apprenticeships by 2030 would be an ideal target, according to ORE Catapult.

This year’s supply chain confidence survey was the first published report of the UK’s Industrial Growth Plan (IGP) for offshore wind. Of the priorities for future growth in offshore wind, nearly 60% of respondents stated new installation, operations and maintenance as top priorities, highlighting critical factors for emerging and proposed policies.

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