OWIC & The Sector Deal

The Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) https://www.owic.org.uk/ is a senior Government and industry forum established in May 2013. It was formed to drive the development of the world-leading offshore wind sector in the UK. It is comprised of members drawn from the leading UK and global firms in the offshore wind industry, including developers and original equipment manufacturers.

The Council oversees and drives the implementation of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal, co-Chaired by Industry and the UK Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth.

The Offshore Wind Sector Deal

The Offshore Wind Sector Deal was the first Sector Deal ever made in a renewable energy technology. This signified a shift in UK Industry towards renewables. The Deal was agreed and published in March 2019 and since then the industry has been working hard, alongside Government and others, to deliver on the various commitments made.

You can view the Sector Deal here.

Of course policy changes over time due to political, environmental and economic factors. For example, when the Sector Deal was implemented – the UK’s offshore wind targets were created around a target of 30GW of offshore wind by 2030 – this has now increased to 50GW by 2030. Whilst this is of course a welcomed ambition and creates greater opportunity for regional, UK and export benefit capture, it conversely presents a challenge in terms of supply chain capability and the availability of people, jobs and skills. Despite this challenge, the industry continues to increase its efforts to work successfully in these areas.

Clusters sit under the ‘Place’ heading of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal Foundations.

Sector Deal Commitments

30GW by 2030 (now 50GW)