The UK needs to triple the rate at which it is installing offshore wind farms – and must boost manufacturing to meet demand, a report has warned.
But the IPPR report says the UK is falling behind in the race for wind manufacturing, and the country faces a tough future with low levels of manufacturing and increasing global supply shortages. In less than five years the UK can and should build at least one additional turbine blade factory, two nacelle – the part which contains the generator – and tower factories, and two extra foundation factories.
The report calls for support for businesses to expand the manufacturing supply chain, ensure developers have long term contracts to secure demand and upgrade infrastructure by renovating ports and naval vessels to deliver offshore wind farms. “However, the UK is uniquely placed to become a world leader in manufacturing equipment for offshore wind farms.