UK Expects Over 100,000 Jobs in Offshore Wind by 2030

Close to 70,000 new jobs are expected to appear in the UK’s offshore wind industry by 2030, bringing the total to over 100,000. 

A recent report from the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) found that the fast growing industry would need an average of 10,000 new workers per year to meet goals set for 2030. The report expects most of those jobs to come in the next three years, with 56,000 new opportunities by 2026. 

The UK is aiming for 50 gigawatts (GW) of capacity by the year 2030, with 5 GW being from floating wind. Currently, the UK has 13.66 GW of the expected 50 GW capacity, second in the world behind China.

The report looks to target areas with skill shortages such as engineers, turbine technicians, and planning. 

The offshore wind industry is focused on creating a strategy for recruitment and retention in order to achieve employment goals. 

The report also emphasizes engagement with youth in STEM fields to help create a skilled future generation of workers. 

“As has been set out just this morning, the 100,000 jobs in this industry by 2030 is remarkable when you think about the number and opportunities that provides, and the kind of areas typically where these are found,” said Graham Stuart, Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero. “Many in the areas where we seek as a government to level up to ensure that economic opportunity is to be found everywhere.

The offshore wind industry is also making improvements in diversity. 20.6 percent of the workforce is now women, up from 16 percent in 2019. Under the UK Government’s Offshore Wind Sector Deal, that number is expected to rise to 33 percent.

Workers from minority backgrounds are up to 7 percent from 3.8 percent in 2019. By 2030, 9-12 percent of workers are expected to be from ethnic backgrounds.

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