On the path to Net Zero, radical changes are required to drive the innovation needed to upscale offshore renewables.
The latest report from the Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub emphasises the urgent need for a new approach to ensure the ORE sector can fulfil its critical role in our energy system. To meet the 2050 Net Zero targets, the UK must significantly accelerate ORE development. Current project timelines are too slow and immediate solutions are needed to upscale and optimise ORE systems and technologies.
While the UK is well-positioned with abundant offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy resources and has one of the highest levels of deployed ORE capacity in the world, accelerated and targeted action is needed to maintain this position and meet the growing energy demands of the future clean energy system. The report focuses on key areas requiring change; the consenting process, workforce, supply chain and infrastructure.
Investment in research and innovation will be the driving force behind the ORE sector’s growth - de-risking new technologies, reducing costs, and improving performance. Moreover, an emphasis on research and innovation is vital for underpinning economic development and enhancing the competitiveness of the UK supply chain, ensuring the country retains its technological leadership on the global stage. The Supergen ORE Hub plays a key role in driving forward the most relevant research and creating collaborative ties between industry, academia and policy.
The report calls for a step-change in policy and action, underpinned by evidence-based research which signposts the most innovative and direct path to a sustainable and competitive ORE sector. The report is a call to action from the Supergen ORE Hub to accelerate the deployment of wind, wave, and tidal energy, securing a home-grown, sustainable energy future.
"The UK has abundant offshore wind, wave and tidal energy resources and leads globally in ORE technology, but faster, more focused action is required to ensure we meet Net Zero 2050 targets. Research and innovation is critical—accelerating the optimisation of existing technologies, reducing design uncertainty, and discovering new ways to plan and construct these devices."
Professor David White (Supergen ORE Hub Co-Director from the University of Southampton) introduced the ORE Outlook 2040 concept at the April 2024 Supergen ORE Hub Assembly in Plymouth. View the presentation slides as a PDF.
Mastering the Future of Offshore Renewable Energy
To help tackle some of the challenges faced by the ORE section, the Supergen ORE Hub is running a series of expert-led Masterclasses delving into critical areas of offshore renewable energy solutions to enable professionals to develop their expertise. Running at locations across the UK. Find out more.
About the Supergen ORE Hub
The ORE Outlook 2040 has been developed by the Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub as the trusted voice of the wider UK offshore renewable energy community. The Supergen ORE Hub is a £16.5 Million Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) programme, 2018 – 2027, which brings together academia, industry, policy makers and the general public to support and accelerate the development of offshore wind, wave and tidal technology for the benefit of society.
The Hub is led by the University of Plymouth and includes Co-Directors from the Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Exeter, Hull, Manchester, Oxford, Southampton, Strathclyde, and Warwick. The Supergen ORE Hub is one of three Supergen Hubs and two Supergen Networks+ created by the EPSRC to deliver strategic and coordinated research on Sustainable Power Generation and supply.
