The Energy Secretary has increased the Clean Industry Bonus budget to £544m, from the initial £300m, to support offshore wind supply chains following higher than expected demand.

The Clean Industry Bonus is designed to provide financial rewards to offshore wind developers, on the condition they prioritise investment in regions that need it most or in cleaner supply chains, including traditional oil and gas communities, ex-industrial areas and ports and coastal towns.

RenewableUK’s executive director of policy Ana Musat said: “This additional funding has the potential to help secure billions in private investment in new factories manufacturing components for the offshore wind industry across the UK. Importantly for the country, these investments will create new jobs in coastal communities which need fresh opportunities. The expansion of the offshore wind supply chain will, in turn, enable us to deliver the massive pipeline of offshore wind projects planned for installation in UK waters at the lowest cost for billpayers in the years ahead.”

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