The UK offshore wind job creation capacity, O&M costs and content analysis

This paper focuses on exploring the operation and maintenance costs and job creation capacity of the UK offshore wind sector. The UK Government long-term target is to use the offshore wind farm (OWF) renewable energy to meet 15% of its renewable energy target by 2020. OWF operation and maintenance market opportunities have been encouraging firm to make major investment in the sector. This emerging market presents opportunities to turbine manufacturers, wind farm developers and small & medium enterprises (SMEs), thereby leading to significant job creation capacity. About 1,183 offshore wind turbines have been installed in the UK with capacity of 4,042 megawatt (MW) and this sector currently provides skilled jobs to about 6,830 full-time employees. Cost reduction in the operation and maintenance and a strong supply chain are necessary if the UK Government targets for the sector is to be achieved