UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out commitments to ensure that offshore wind will produce more than enough electricity to power every home in the country by 2030, based on current electricity usage, boosting the government’s previous 30 GW target to 40 GW.
The commitments, part of the Build Back Greener initiative, also include creating a new target for floating offshore wind to deliver 1 GW of energy by 2030, and setting a target to support up to double the capacity of renewable energy in the next Contracts for Difference auction, which will open in late 2021.
The government will also make GBP 160 million available to upgrade ports and infrastructure across communities like in Teesside and Humber in Northern England, Scotland, and Wales needed to accommodate future offshore wind projects.
This new investment will see around 2,000 construction jobs created and will enable the sector to support up to 60,000 jobs directly and indirectly by 2030 in ports, factories, and the supply chains, the government said.
These commitments are the first stage outlined as part of the Prime Minister’s ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution, which will be set out fully later this year.
”Our seas hold immense potential to power our homes and communities with low-cost green energy and we are already leading the way in harnessing its strengths,” Prime Minister Johnson said.
”Now, as we build back better we must build back greener. So we are committing to new ambitious targets and investment into wind power to accelerate our progress towards net zero emissions by 2050. This sets us on our path towards a green industrial revolution, which will provide tens of thousands of highly-skilled jobs.”
Together with planned requirements on supporting UK manufacturers in government-backed renewables projects, these measures will mean the industry can reach its target of 60 per cent of offshore wind farm content coming from the UK.
The UK has the largest installed capacity of offshore wind in the world, with around 10 GW currently in operation off its coasts.
”These bold ambitions and clear targets are exactly the right signals at exactly the right time,” Keith Anderson , CEO of ScottishPower said.
”They will encourage long-term investment and innovation from the renewables industry – and they will boost employment and economic benefits right across the UK. ScottishPower is committed to doubling down on our commitments to delivering 100% clean green energy that matches the UK’s aim to cut emissions for every home.”