Future offshore wind initiatives could possibly be in danger due to an increase in demand for metal, in line with evaluation by consultancy group Newton.
The anticipated spike in demand might go away British initiatives counting on overseas metal until UK manufacturing is ramped up – which is unlikely, the evaluation says, after plans to shut furnaces at Port Talbot have been introduced earlier this yr.
Newton stated if the UK turned to the worldwide market at a time when different nations have been additionally attempting to construct wind farms, international costs might spike.
Newton companion Dan Parker stated: “The UK’s offshore wind sector has formidable targets to satisfy, set out by the federal government’s dedication to supply 50GW of wind energy by 2030.
“Elementary to reaching this goal shall be guaranteeing present UK offshore wind initiatives are delivered on time and on funds.
“This implies they want the requisite uncooked supplies to be out there on the value they’ve deliberate for.
“To make sure we’re not blown off observe, it’s crucial that UK trade and authorities collaborate to make sure a gradual provide of metal that may meet the anticipated demand peaks as trade flexes to satisfy the 50GW goal.
“After the closure of the Port Talbot steelworks in January, that is no imply feat.”
Learn extra:
UK wants an industrial technique – not simply piecemeal funding
Metal rescue package deal could possibly be ‘missed alternative’
Offshore wind farms will want shut to three.8 million tonnes of metal within the UK between 2025 and 2027, Newton stated. That will be round 23% of the nation’s metal manufacturing.
The push is a part of a authorities goal to construct 50 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind in UK waters by the tip of the last decade – up from round 14 GW at the moment.
