Great British Energy (GBE) has launched a £1bn Energy Engineering in the UK (EEUK) programme to strengthen the UK’s clean energy industry and secure long-term economic growth.  

It says the scheme will mobilise public and private investment to unlock critical supply chains and create thousands of skilled jobs.

As part of this programme, GBE is opening its £300m GBE Supply Chain Fund: Offshore Wind and Networks, designed to tackle urgent bottlenecks in key components such as blades, turbines, transmission cables and converter stations.

This investment will build manufacturing capacity and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of offshore wind deployment and electricity network innovation.

The fund is a key part of the government's modern Industrial Strategy which sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business.

GBE will work alongside partners including the National Wealth Fund, Scottish National Infrastructure Bank and The Crown Estate to unlock financing for large-scale manufacturing projects.

To cement the UK’s position as a global leader in deepwater offshore wind, GBE is also establishing a Deepwater Wind Commercialisation Programme in partnership with FLOWEX, bringing together industry leaders to unlock the industrial opportunity from the next frontier of offshore wind deployment.

With strong public backing and collaboration across government and industry, EEUK will deliver high-value manufacturing capacity in the UK, skilled, well-paid jobs for communities across the country and a resilient supply chain for future low-carbon technologies.

Great British Energy CEO, Dan McGrail, said: “Great British Energy is investing in British industry, we are helping to create jobs, driving innovation, and ensuring clean energy infrastructure is built here in the UK.

“This programme is about more than funding; it will help overcome the current challenges and ensure the benefits of a world-class supply chain are felt in communities across the country.” 

Energy minister, Michael Shanks, added: “We want our clean energy future to be built here in Britain as part of our modern Industrial Strategy.

“This fund will boost our manufacturing capabilities for offshore wind – supporting jobs and growth in communities across the country.”