The UK’s wind sector has marked ten years of expansion with nearly 2,000 companies now active in its supply chain, according to figures published by RenewableUK to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Wind Energy Week.
The event, running until June 29, highlights key achievements across the past decade, including the growth of wind generation capacity from 13.4 gigawatts in 2015 to over 30GW projected for 2025. In 2024, wind energy surpassed gas for the first time to become the country’s leading electricity source, providing 30% of the UK’s total power output.
“Wind Energy Week is a great occasion to celebrate the growth, and impact of our sector,” said Ana Musat, executive director for policy and engagement at RenewableUK. “This week is a unique opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come in the last 10 years, breaking barriers many said were impossible in such a short space of time.”
RenewableUK has released a new supply chain map based on its EnergyPulse market database, showing the location and activity of 1,996 wind-related companies across the UK. The data indicates a strong presence in over 70 parliamentary constituencies, with businesses spanning environmental surveying, site design, blade manufacturing, and cable production.
The UK’s offshore wind sector is also showing regional concentration, with seven coastal “industrial clusters” identified as hubs of activity. These areas are expected to attract further companies as demand for renewable energy infrastructure continues to grow.
A joint report by RenewableUK and the Offshore Wind Industry Council revealed that the sector now employs more than 55,000 people. The workforce has grown alongside increased investment and development, supported by government initiatives and private sector engagement.
Wind Energy Week will also spotlight the role of wind projects in supporting local communities and the environment. According to RenewableUK, community benefit funds (CBFs) have distributed more than £550 million since 2015, with projections reaching £150 million annually by 2030 if current government targets are met.
Musat noted the importance of continued collaboration to meet national energy goals: “There is a lot more to do, as we look to ensuring we deliver on the government’s ambitions to 2030 and welcome the arrival of its Industrial Strategy and imminent publication of its Onshore Wind Strategy and Low Carbon Flexibility Roadmap.”
The UK government has identified clean energy as a priority sector in its updated Industrial Strategy, citing strong potential for economic and employment growth.
