Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, has stated his belief that the Government is firmly behind the UK’s offshore wind industry. Speaking in response to recent concerns that ministers are divided over support for the renewables sector, Mr Swales said that: ‘The Coalition believes that offshore wind has an extremely important role in our future...Having wind farms offshore, like the one in Redcar, will provide lots of electricity for the future and...will lead to greater security and much lower use of fossil fuels.’

However, the MP went on to say that the Government needs to give the industry extra support if more offshore wind contracts are to be awarded to British firms in the future. UK waters have the highest concentration of wind farms in the world, but 80% of development contracts are still going to foreign companies. This is despite the fact that the products, equipment and services needed to develop and maintain offshore wind farms are increasingly becoming made and supplied by British firms – especially in the North East area.

Says Mr Swales: ‘We (the UK)should be leaders in this industry and certainly the North East is well placed to build on strengths that it already has in the offshore area and to be a leading player in the construction and maintenance of future wind farms.’

Wilding says: ‘Hopefully ministers will take Mr Swales’ advice and take steps to give the offshore wind sector the confidence it needs to keep developing, so it can provide a sustainable supply chain for projects built in British waters.’

Source: The Northern Echo