08/11/2022 | Offshore wind

UK Government joining Global Offshore Wind Alliance is major vote of confidence in our industry

08 November 2022 - RenewableUK press release


RenewableUK is highlighting today’s announcement that the UK Government is joining the Global Offshore Wind Alliance, which aims to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind worldwide to tackle climate change and increase energy security. 


The announcement was made in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt where COP27 is taking placve. Several other countries have also announced they’re joining the alliance, including Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway and the USA.


The alliance, which was launched in September, has set a target of increasing global offshore wind capacity more than sixfold, from 60GW today to 380GW by the end of 2030, by installing 35GW a year during the course of this decade. Looking further ahead, the alliance has also set of a target of 2,000GW of offshore wind globally by 2050, installing 70GW a year from 2030 onwards.    


The Global Offshore Wind Alliance was set up by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Global Wind Energy Council and the Danish Government to bring together politicians, the private sector and international organisations. It aims to transform targets into action by removing barriers to deployment and scaling up investment.


RenewableUK’s CEO Dan McGrail said:


“Today’s announcement represents a major vote of confidence in our world-class offshore wind industry by the UK Government. Offshore wind is cutting bills for British consumers and reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, so the challenge for the UK, and countries around the world, is scaling up this technology as quickly as we can in the face of global energy and climate crises.


“While offshore wind is central to the UK’s plans for net zero, to meet the goals set at COP26 to tackle dangerous climate change we’re going to need a wide range of clean power sources. So it’s crucial that the Government works with industry to maximise the benefits of key technologies like onshore wind and solar. And the UK can be a world leader in the next generation of renewables, from floating wind to tidal power and green hydrogen.


“UK leadership in offshore wind is already setting a path for others to follow, and faster action at home will mean more growth in new industries, investment and jobs”.   


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Notes


RenewableUK’s members are building our future energy system, powered by clean electricity. We bring them together to deliver that future faster; a future which is better for industry, billpayers, and the environment. We support over 400 member companies to ensure increasing amounts of renewable electricity are deployed across the UK and to access export markets all over the world. Our members are business leaders, technology innovators, and expert thinkers from right across industry.


More information on the Global Offshore Wind Alliance is available here.


RenewableUK’s events programme is available here. 


For further information, contact