Funding for this programme comes from Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) developer members through their Industrial Growth Fund (IGF), which is designed to accelerate capital investment in domestic manufacturing of key components, systems and services into the offshore wind sector.
Since 2019, funding from OWIC, an industry-Government coalition, has supported over 387 high-impact projects that have strengthened the capacity and capability of the UK offshore wind supply chain.
The IGF represents a new, larger phase of funding, as set out in the 2024 Industrial Growth Plan (IGP), and will support organisations looking to expand or build new facilities. The IGP priorities the funding will support include manufacturing turbine blades, cables and foundations, as well as cutting edge technology in environmental services and operations and maintenance.
With OWGP now leading the execution of the Industrial Growth Plan with continued funding from OWIC, the offshore wind industry is delivering a new, strategic approach to supporting supply chain growth aligned to the IGP and the Government’s Industrial Strategy.
Under the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 7 Clean Industry Bonus framework, generators participating in AR7 may nominate OWGP to deliver a portion of their CIB minimum standard commitments. Supply chain projects that meet the CIB criteria as well as those that do not are eligible to apply.
In a statement, Tim Pick, Chair of the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership and Commissioner of the Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission, said: “I am delighted that we have today launched our first funding call based on OWIC’s Industrial Growth Fund. This represents a step change in the level of funding being deployed by OWGP, as part of our role delivering the Industrial Growth Plan.”
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OWGP officially assumed the role of IGP Delivery Body in June of this year strengthening its existing mission to accelerate the development of the offshore wind supply chain. As such, OWGP acts as a coordinating mechanism for the Plan’s execution, facilitating alignment across industry, government and other stakeholders, and ensuring that investments are both impactful and consistent with industrial strategy.
The Industrial Growth Fund is the first step in directing those investments into the right areas of the supply chain to ensure maximum benefit for the sector and wider UK economy.
Jane Cooper, Deputy CEO of RenewableUK and OWGP Board Member, added: “The launch of the first round of the Industrial Growth Fund is a landmark moment for the UK’s world-leading offshore wind industry.
"It will support the creation of vibrant, innovative new supply chains all over the country, building on the hundreds of companies already thriving here which serve our sector. It will ensure that communities throughout the UK feel the tangible benefits of industrial regeneration in areas which need new opportunities."
Applications for the Industrial Growth Fund opened on October 27th, and will close on Friday, 12th December at 17:00. The final value of the fund will be dependent on the AR7 award decisions, expected by March 2026.
More information on eligibility and how to apply can be found here.
