Boost for UK offshore wind supply chain with £400m investment from The Crown Estate

In a boost for the UK’s offshore wind sector, The Crown Estate has today outlined its proposal to invest up to £400m of capital in the supply chain.

Launched in time for the first day of the Global Offshore Wind conference in London, The Crown Estate’s new Powering Offshore Wind publication details its proposal to focus on supportive investments into new onshore enabling infrastructure over the medium term.

These investments are intended to support the construction of new infrastructure, including ports, supply chain manufacturing, and research and testing facilities, to enable the deployment of offshore wind across the UK.

Insufficient supply chain capacity is recognised as a key constraint to further offshore wind deployment. Investing in and building this enabling infrastructure will allow the UK to drive forward its clean energy transition and create growth opportunities within local communities.

Drawing on the new investment powers conferred by the Crown Estate Act 2025 which received Royal Assent in March, the organisation will make its capital available through two targeted programmes, both of which are now live.

A new £350m Supply Chain Investment Programme is being established to invest in the construction of new port and supply chain infrastructure that will support accelerated delivery of UK offshore wind projects.

To ensure that its investments are effective and impactful, The Crown Estate will work in coordination with organisations from the private and public sector, including Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund.

In addition, The Crown Estate’s £50m Supply Chain Accelerator supports early-stage project development and is currently running its second funding round, having awarded nearly £5m to 13 organisations in December 2024. The second round is seeking to award up to £15m and has an expanded scope to include UK ports and port-related infrastructure. It closes to applications on Friday 27 June 2025.

Both programmes will support the creation of financial, environmental and social value through stringent investment criteria and alignment with The Crown Estate’s Sustainable Development Principles.

Ben Brinded, Head of Investment at The Crown Estate, said: “We will not unlock the full economic, social and environmental benefits of offshore wind without collaboration and investment into the UK supply chain. Building out enabling infrastructure is critical if we are to accelerate deployment off our coasts, derisk projects for investors and create local economic opportunities.

“The Crown Estate’s proposal to invest up to £400m in the offshore wind supply chain through two targeted programmes is recognition of offshore wind’s vital role in the UK’s clean energy transition and the many wider benefits it creates.”

Juergen Maier, Chair, Great British Energy, said: “The UK is a leader in offshore wind, which we know creates jobs, growth, and innovation. Only by working with our partners will we be able to find the scale to unlock the benefits for the UK and reach our goal of clean power by 2030.”

Tim Pick, Chair, Offshore Wind Growth Partnership, said: “We welcome The Crown Estate’s continued commitment to the offshore wind supply chain and are excited about the investment opportunities which will be available through their SCA and SCIP.

“An aligned and collaborative approach with industry and other public investors will truly help the sector deliver on the ambitions of the Industrial Growth Plan – growing our domestic supply chain, accelerating and de-risking delivery of projects, and boosting technology leadership.”

David Gwynne, Director, Banking & Investments at the National Wealth Fund said: “We welcome this publication from The Crown Estate. Increased and sustained investment in offshore wind is crucial for the clean energy transition and a collaborative approach across the public and private sector is essential to achieving this.

“As one of NWF’s priority sectors, we are committed to building on the £227m we have so far invested in offshore wind port and supply chain infrastructure, and we look forward to working with the Crown Estate where possible to boost financing in this area and further the government’s growth and clean energy missions.”

Source: https://www.thecrownestate.co....