Wind energy bonanza for UK engineers and manufacturers 14 October 2010

Engineers are urged to participate in the potential bonanza from the UK's offshore renewable energy and land-based wind turbines industry, starting by attending RenewableUK 2010, from 2—4 November in Glasgow.

Gordon Edge, RenewableUK director of policy, points out that the construction and support programme for offshore wind alone is forecast to be worth £75 billion over the next 10 years – with onshore wind already also showing 1.1GW of projects in construction and 3.5GW with planning consent.

The offshore industry will need underwater foundations, towers, turbines, cabling, specialist vessels, ancillary electrical equipment and the skilled personnel and services to support them, he says. Equally, onshore the industry will require transport and delivery logistics, construction and electrical engineering, as well as environmental and planning services.

"The UK needs expertise and a developed supply chain to deliver the huge amounts of both onshore and offshore generation to meet the demand in the home market and internationally. This is a once in a generation opportunity for UK businesses," says Edge.

Beyond conference sessions dedicated to wave and tidal energy on 3 November, there will also be a free careers fair on 4 November for engineers interested in a career in the renewable energy sector.

Brian Tinham

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