The U.K. government has unveiled a plan to invest 66 million British pounds into the region's offshore wind industry.
At a ceremony officially opening the 270 MW Lincs offshore wind farm, a project developed by Centrica and partners DONG Energy and Siemens, U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Energy Secretary Ed Davey unveiled the Offshore Wind Industrial Sector Strategy.
"This strategy will help keep Britain as the world leader in one of the most important industries of the 21st Century," said Clegg. "If we make the most of offshore wind's potential in the U.K., it can provide a big proportion of the energy that lights our homes and powers our economy."
Under the plan, the U.K. government will invest 20 million British pounds from the Regional Growth Fund for GROW: Offshore Wind, a new Manufacturing Advisory Service program to support the U.K. supply chain in becoming more competitive by offering tailored support from specialists.
The government says it will also provide 46 million British pounds over five years for the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Centre to boost innovative collaboration among industry, government and academia and help companies bring new products to market.
The announced investment has the potential to unlock 7 billion British pounds in the economy by 2020, the government adds.
