A leading renewables body has rejected claims made by a UK government report that there are not enough British firms in the offshore wind supply chain.
Last week, the document “Future of the Sea” was published, describing the situation with the supply chain as a “missed opportunity”.
It stated: “While there are opportunities here, the relatively small percentage of the supply chain that is supplied by UK businesses could be seen as a missed opportunity.”
The report, which estimated the sector could be worth nearly £3billion a year to the UK by 2030, added there is a need for a “more strategic position” in the future.
However, trade association Renewables UK has hit back at the claims.
The group produced a report last year showing that 48% of spending in planning, building and operations of offshore windfarms goes to UK firms.
That represents an increase of 5% on 2015, with the figure expected to continue to climb.
The sector is aiming to have 50% UK content in offshore wind projects by 2020.
Executive Director Emma Pinchbeck said: “Offshore wind has become a key part of the our economy, creating much-needed jobs not only in coastal communities but also across the UK in the ever-expanding supply chain.
“48% of the expenditure in planning, building and running our offshore wind projects goes to UK companies.
“Developers which build offshore wind farm in UK waters are committed to maximising the amount of local content they use, bringing inward investment and local regeneration. New projects coming forward provide a major opportunity for more UK companies to take advantage of offshore wind’s industrial opportunity.”
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