4,500 new green jobs could be created through North East offshore wind supply chain

Thousands of new jobs could be created over the next five years by the North East’s offshore wind supply chain according to new research.

The new Supply Chain Mapping initiative has revealed that over the next five years, the region’s offshore companies expect to create an additional 4,500 jobs in offshore wind.

Firms also revealed that turnover in their offshore wind activities will more than double to £2.2bn in the same time period.

managed by energy sector business development organisation NOF, the Supply Chain Mapping initiative worked with offshore wind consortium Energi Coast to identify opportunities for regional growth within the sector.

James Ritchie, chair of Energi Coast, explained: “The Supply Chain Mapping exercise really lays out the size and scale of the offshore wind sector in North East England and its vital role it can play in the UK economy.

“We estimate that there are around 400 companies operating in North East England’s offshore wind cluster.

“With the information provided by just over half of these businesses we are able to send a clear message to government and the decision makers in the offshore wind sector that our region is a go-to destination for a wide range of products and services.

“The region has a broad depth of skills, expertise and industry specific experience that is well placed to make a valuable contribution to the sector if companies are given the opportunities to be part of current and future projects.”

Joanne Leng MBE, deputy chair of Energi Coast, added: “North East England has been active in the offshore wind sector since the early days of the industry.

“Since then, the region has become a key region for the offshore wind industry both in terms of developments such as the Dogger Bank Wind Farm and the RWE Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, and its diverse and expansive supply chain cluster.

“This has led to offshore wind becoming a priority for the region’s companies, especially in relation to the delivery of a post-COVID-19 green economic recovery, and this means ongoing support must be provided to the local supply chain to further develop their business in the sector and ensure diversification support is provided to new entrants coming into the market with transferable skills.”

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