DECC is working with UK industry to help it win a greater share of renewables business. This involves working in partnership with the UK regions to help create jobs and create economic growth.
The team is also working closely with key wind turbine companies and regional partners (such as Regional District Authorities and Regional Renewables Champions), to develop supply chain opportunities for companies able to compete on price and quality.
Government Offshore Wind Manufacturing funding guidance
Background
On the 25 October 2010, the Government announced up to £60m to support the establishment of offshore wind manufacturing at ports sites in the assisted areas of England. Separately, to help progress this, The Crown Estate will also work with interested ports and manufacturers to realise the potential of their sites. To this end, the Government and The Crown Estate signed a Letter of Intent to work together to support the development of offshore wind manufacturing capacity in the UK.
Getting information on the Offshore Wind Manufacturing funding
Offshore wind manufacturers will be able to apply for support for major investments under the Grants for Business Investment (GBI) scheme in assisted areas of England. This can include joint applications by manufacturers together with ports/landowners where there this forms a single project - however the funding is not available for port-only applications which do not include or are not linked to an offshore wind manufacturer.
The GBI scheme is an existing State Aid notified national business support scheme which has established criteria and processes, which supports sustainable investment and job creation in the assisted areas of England.
Applications will be considered for support for major investments by offshore wind manufacturers with large-scale coastal manufacturing requirements such as turbine, foundation, cable and tower manufacturers. Applications will be handled in the normal way, and assessed using published criteria and processes.
Details of the scheme are available on the BIS: Solutions for Business - Grant for Business Investment (GBI) web page.
Applications will be considered by the independent Industrial Development Advisory Board which will submit advice to DECC Ministers, who will make decisions on funding. Funding is available from April 2011 to March 2015. However, it will take time for applications to be processed, and we are ready to receive applications before then.
What should you do next?
In the first instance, you should contact Louisa Evans, Business Development Manager at DECC to note your interest and details of the funding. She can be contacted at louisa.evans@decc.gsi.gov.uk.
If you wish to discuss the Grant for Business Investment scheme, how it works, criteria and assessment, please contact Edwin James at BIS.
What is the role of The Crown Estate?
The Crown Estate will act as a facilitator between port owners and manufacturers to support the development of offshore wind manufacturing. If a port owner, wishes to discuss what role The Crown Estate can play, please contact Roy Evans at roy.evans@thecrownestate.co.uk