The UK’s shallow seas and strong winds place the country in an ideal place for offshore windfarms but the government’s objection to EU goals on renewable energy and targets for decarbonising power is seen as an obstruction to encouraging investment in the industry.

According to IPPR’s Will Straw, this may lead to the failure of the country’s climate challenge, jobs challenge and re-balancing challenge.

The IPPR report calls for the Government to attract at least two turbine manufacturers to set up in the UK, and back British firms with exports to build up their expertise. It also suggests that greater support for the existing renewables firms should be provided to invest on existing knowledge in the onshore wind and North Sea oil and gas industries.

Source: Energy reporter, UK failure to strengthen offshore wind industry could cost 15,000 jobs, warns IPPR, Energy Voice