North East England has unveiled a 10-year strategy to cement its position as the UK’s offshore wind powerhouse. The plan was launched at the Energi Coast Supply Chain Showcase at The Boiler Shop in Newcastle city centre, backed by the region’s two mayors.
The document outlines how the North East can lead the next phase of offshore wind industrialisation over the next decade, particularly in offshore electrical solutions and deeper-water technologies. The region already has 10GW of offshore wind capacity in various stages of operation, construction, or development.
Commissioned by energy sector network NOF on behalf of the North East Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority, the strategy was developed with support from Energi Coast, the regional offshore wind cluster.
The timing is significant. The Crown Estate recently announced that a new offshore wind leasing round in 2027 could deliver around 6GW or more of additional capacity, predominantly off the North East coast. That expansion alone could create up to 10,000 direct jobs and contribute over £12bn to the UK economy.
The region’s existing strengths include major port infrastructure, manufacturing and fabrication capabilities, assembly, logistics, operations and maintenance, plus a well-established supply chain. The strategy targets further growth in advanced components, smart fabrication, sustainable materials, data science, robotics, and environmental services.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness has set a target of doubling green jobs to 50,000 by 2035, supported by a £130m Plan for Green Jobs. Tees Valley’s cluster already includes 17,000 jobs spanning offshore wind and wider clean energy technologies.
NOF chief executive Joanne Leng said the strategy provides a crucial roadmap at a moment when the region faces genuine scale of opportunity. Energi Coast chair Tony Quinn described the North East as rapidly becoming the epicentre of the UK’s energy transition.