UK Falling Behind in Wind Manufacturing, Threatening Net Zero Goals and Economic Growth IPPR Report Reveals

June 22, 2024  –A recent report from IPPR reveals that the UK is lagging in the race for wind manufacturing, putting its 2030 offshore wind target at risk and missing out on thousands of jobs and billions in revenue. The report highlights that the UK needs to triple its offshore wind installation rate to meet its targets, and that increasing domestic manufacturing capacity is critical to achieving this goal.

The UK has failed to capitalize on its wind installation market, resulting in a missed economic opportunity of up to £30 billion between 2008 and 2022. Despite this, the report suggests that the UK can still seize this opportunity by investing in domestic manufacturing, which could generate tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and reduce energy dependence.

The report suggests that an investment of £3.2 billion in UK manufacturing facilities could generate significant economic benefits. The UK could reduce its import dependence and revive its manufacturing industry by producing more wind components domestically. The report recommends that the government takes steps to support businesses in expanding their capacity across the whole wind manufacturing supply chain, upgrade infrastructure, and ensure long-term contracts for developers.

Simone Gasperin, associate fellow at IPPR, emphasizes the need for the UK to grasp the opportunity in wind manufacturing to achieve net zero targets and economic growth. “The UK has missed out from becoming a world leader not just in wind power, but also in wind manufacturing. This has cost thousands of jobs, billions for the economy, and is putting future net zero targets for wind deployment at risk.”

Ajai Ahluwalia, head of supply chain at Renewable UK, highlights the Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan, which aims to triple offshore wind manufacturing capacity over the next ten years, supporting an additional 10,000 jobs a year and boosting the UK’s economy by £25 billion. “The IPPR’s report highlights the extraordinary opportunity that the UK has to land hundreds of millions of pounds of new investment in offshore wind manufacturing.”

The UK must prioritize wind manufacturing to meet its offshore wind targets, create jobs, and drive economic growth. By investing in domestic manufacturing capacity and supporting businesses, the UK can become a world leader in wind manufacturing and achieve its net zero goals.