The Crown Estate has announced a significant £400 million investment proposal aimed at bolstering the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, marking a pivotal step in accelerating the nation’s clean energy transition. Unveiled at the Global Offshore Wind conference in London, this initiative seeks to address the critical bottleneck posed by insufficient onshore infrastructure, which has constrained the expansion of offshore wind projects across the UK.
Central to the investment is the establishment of two targeted programmes designed to build new enabling infrastructure such as ports, manufacturing capabilities, and research facilities. The largest, a £350 million Supply Chain Investment Programme (SCIP), will focus on capital projects that enhance port and supply chain infrastructure vital for the streamlined deployment of offshore wind assets. Complementing this, a £50 million Supply Chain Accelerator (SCA) fund targets early-stage project development. The SCA, currently in its second funding round, aims to support innovative ventures related to UK ports and port-related infrastructure, with the latest round closing at the end of June 2025.
The Crown Estate’s ability to deploy this capital draws on recently granted powers under the Crown Estate Act 2025, which allows for more proactive financial involvement. This legislative change comes at a crucial time, as the UK government sets an ambitious target to fully decarbonise the electricity sector by 2030, with offshore wind expected to play a leading role. Offshore wind capacity growth is essential to powering nearly 20 million homes and meeting climate goals, but progress has been hampered by supply chain limitations and infrastructure gaps.
Ben Brinded, Head of Investment at The Crown Estate, underscored the strategic importance of collaboration and infrastructure investment, noting the effort is critical to “derisk projects for investors” and deliver local economic opportunities. Supporting this vision, several organisations from the private and public sectors are engaged, including Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund, highlighting a coordinated commitment to the sector’s growth.
Great British Energy, a state-backed power company established to lead the UK’s energy transition, recently announced plans to work closely with The Crown Estate. This partnership aims to foster up to £30-60 billion in private investment, targeting the creation of 20-30 gigawatts of new offshore wind capacity by 2030. Energy Security and Net Zero Minister Ed Miliband praised the collaboration as a signal of serious commitment to clean power and investment, aligning with the government’s industrial strategy.
The National Wealth Fund, an important public investor, revealed it has already allocated £227 million toward offshore wind ports and supply chain infrastructure. Its director of Banking & Investments confirmed ongoing plans to work with The Crown Estate to amplify financial backing in the sector, underscoring offshore wind’s priority status in the UK’s clean energy agenda.
The Supply Chain Accelerator fund has already demonstrated early success. In its initial round, nearly £5 million was awarded to 13 diverse projects across England, Wales, and Scotland, covering innovations from floating wind platforms to operations and maintenance facilities. The combined development investment leveraged by these awards exceeds £9 million and could unlock over £400 million in subsequent capital investment. The fund is designed to nurture emerging technologies and local capabilities aligned with the government’s Industrial Growth Plan, which aims to triple the UK’s offshore wind manufacturing capacity over the next decade.
This comprehensive investment strategy reflects broader efforts to build a resilient and competitive domestic offshore wind industry, capable of sustaining economic, social, and environmental benefits. The Crown Estate emphasises that all investments will adhere to stringent criteria ensuring environmental stewardship and community impact.
While the UK already leads in offshore wind, these measures seek to maintain and enhance its global leadership by addressing the complex supply chain challenges that have restrained faster progress. With new legislative powers, strategic partnerships, and targeted funding, The Crown Estate positions itself not just as a landlord of the seabed but as an active catalyst in driving the offshore wind sector’s next phase of rapid and sustainable growth.
Source: Noah Wire Services
