The number of people employed in the UK wind industry has grown by 24% over the past two years, reaching more than 55,000 workers, according to a new report published on Monday.
The Wind Industry Skills Intelligence Report 2025, released by RenewableUK and the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), shows that offshore wind employment rose from just over 32,000 to nearly 40,000, while onshore wind now accounts for over 15,000 jobs.
The report also outlines workforce projections to 2030 under three deployment scenarios for offshore wind, with installed capacities ranging from 39 gigawatts (GW) to 52GW. For onshore wind, it includes a scenario aligned with the UK government’s 27GW target. Based on these projections, the wind energy workforce could grow to between 92,000 and 112,500 by the end of the decade.
Most new roles are expected to be created in regions with strong offshore wind activity, including Scotland, the east of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
RenewableUK’s deputy chief executive Jane Cooper said the industry offers well-paid and skilled employment opportunities, but also warned of potential staffing shortages if action is not taken.
“This report shows that the number of people working in high-quality well-paid jobs in the wind industry onshore and offshore is set to grow even higher over the next five years, well beyond the 55,000 employed today,” she said. “But it also identifies a looming skills gap which we have to address by recruiting and training enough workers to take on a wide variety of new roles.”
The report recommends the development of a national workforce strategy, including the creation of regional training hubs in coastal communities and a central workforce observatory to monitor labour market trends and skills gaps. It also calls for greater collaboration between industry and education providers to expand access to apprenticeships and internships.
Specific areas identified as needing skilled workers include wind turbine technicians, installation engineers, high-voltage cable specialists, environmental advisors, and technical managers. The report notes opportunities to retrain workers from adjacent sectors, such as oil and gas, for roles in renewables.
Richard Sandford, industry co-chair of OWIC, said the sector offers international commercial potential in addition to domestic job creation.
“The offshore wind industry is a fantastic opportunity for the UK – not just to build crucial clean energy projects and create new supply chains, but to export our products and expertise worldwide as we are a recognised global leader in this technology,” he said.
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks described the findings as a reflection of the sector’s role in the country’s economic strategy.
“This report highlights exactly how the clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century,” he said. “Delivering the Plan for Change means winning the race for the clean energy jobs of the future.”
The report comes amid wider government efforts to achieve a fully decarbonised power system by 2035, with wind power expected to play a central role in meeting net zero emissions targets.
