Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2015 to Question 603, what estimate she has made of the likely relative benefit for supply chains in (a) the UK and (b) other countries of investment in off-shore wind.

The Government is working together with the Offshore Wind Industry to build a competitive and innovative UK supply chain that delivers and sustains jobs, exports and economic benefit for the UK.

Currently the offshore wind sector employs around 8,000 people directly, with a similar number of indirect jobs in the wider supply chain. With an investment opportunity of between £16bn - £21bn in the UK by 2020 plus export opportunities. Offshore wind has the potential to support tens of thousands of jobs and contribute billions to our economy.

The Department has not estimated the likely relative benefits for the supply chain in other countries of investment in off-shore wind.