Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a major £300 million investment to strengthen the UK’s domestic offshore wind supply chains, marking a significant step in the government’s effort to drive economic growth, create skilled jobs, and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
The funding, which will be delivered through the publicly owned company Great British Energy, is intended to boost the manufacture of critical components such as floating offshore platforms and cables, and to secure the UK’s position as a global leader in renewable energy.
The investment comes ahead of the government’s Future of Energy Security summit in London, where ministers and industry leaders from around the world are gathering to discuss collective action on energy security. The government’s plan is to mobilise billions in additional private investment, revitalise the UK’s industrial heartlands, and ensure that the benefits of clean energy are felt across the country.
Announcing the initiative, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Delivering the Plan for Change means winning the race for the clean energy jobs of the future, which will drive growth and help us reach clean power by 2030.
That is why I am bringing forward much-needed investment in our domestic offshore wind supply chains, strengthening our security and creating good jobs for our welders, electricians, and engineers.
Let my message to the world go out: come and build the clean energy future in Britain.”
The government has made clean energy a central pillar of its growth strategy, committing to deliver most of Britain’s energy from green sources by the end of the decade. This will require a rapid expansion of offshore and onshore wind, solar power, and upgrades to the national grid.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband reinforced the government’s commitment, stating: “It is only by taking back control of our energy that we can protect families and businesses from the rollercoaster of global markets we don’t control.
That is why this government is doubling down on our clean energy superpower mission – driving economic growth, good jobs and investment across our country.”
The £300 million is part of a wider £8.3 billion commitment to Great British Energy over this Parliament. Companies will be able to apply for grants if they can demonstrate long-term investment in UK supply chains, with the aim of crowding in further private sector funding and supporting thousands of new jobs.
Industry leaders and campaigners have welcomed the move as a vital boost for the UK’s offshore wind sector, with the potential to triple manufacturing capacity, add £25 billion to the economy, and create an additional 10,000 supply chain jobs over the next decade.
