Crown Estate: £400m Boost for UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain
In a major boost for the UK’s offshore wind sector, The Crown Estate has outlined a proposal to invest up to £400m in the industry’s supply chain.
Detailing its plans in the ‘Powering Offshore Wind’ publication, the proposal focuses on enabling medium-term infrastructure development by providing supportive investments.
These investments will focus on and support the construction of new infrastructure, including: research and testing facilities, supply chain manufacturing, ports and infrastructure designed to enable offshore wind deployment across the UK.
Motivation behind the investment
The Crown Estate recognises insufficient supply chain capacity as a major constraint to further and future offshore wind deployment.
By investing in and building new enabling infrastructure, these endeavours will empower the UK to drive its clean energy transition while also creating growth opportunities within local communities.
In March 2025, the Crown Estate Act 2025 received Royal Assent – empowering The Crown Estate with new investment powers.
The organisation will make capital available through two targeted programmes, both of which have gone live.
Diving into the ‘Supply Chain Investment Programme’
To support the accelerated delivery of UK offshore wind projects, the new £350m Supply Chain Investment Programme is being established to invest in the construction of new supply chain and port infrastructure.
To ensure effective and impactful investments, The Crown Estate will collaborate with organisations from the public and private sectors, including Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund.
Complimentary project development
In addition to the Supply Chain Investment Programme, The Crown Estate’s £50m Supply Chain Accelerator supports early-stage project development.
The Supply Chain Accelerator is currently running its second funding round, after awarding nearly £5m to 13 organisations in December 2024.
The second round aims to award up to £15m with an expanded scope to include UK ports and port-related infrastructure. Applications close on June 27 2025.
Both programmes will support the creation of environmental, social and financial value by adhering to stringent investment criteria and alignment with The Crown Estate’s Sustainable Development Principles.
These principles focus on maximising the organisation’s contributions to responsible business practice, thriving communities, nature recovery and the net zero transition.
Broad public and private sector support
Ben Brinded, Head of Investment at The Crown Estate, says: “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, adds: “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, says: “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, concludes: “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.”
Explore the latest edition of Supply Chain Digital Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Supply Chain Digital is a BizClik brand
