Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to support efforts further to research and develop (a) offshore wind and (b) floating wind power.

From 2013–2015, the Government and its agencies (including Innovate UK and the Research Councils) invested on average over £200m per year in support for low carbon innovation. This included support for innovation in offshore wind, including research on floating wind, primarily through the Glasgow-based Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.

From 2016-2021, the Government has committed to increase the UK’s energy innovation spend, such that by 2021 it will have doubled to over £400m per year. This funding will support innovation across the energy sector in regions across the UK. The recent launch of phase five of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund has already attracted interest from offshore wind developers and details of other funding opportunities will be set out in due course. Through the new Energy Innovation Board, chaired by Sir Mark Walport, the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy will be collaborating with Innovate UK, the Research Councils, and other delivery partners across government, including members of Devolved Administrations, to co-ordinate energy innovation activities.

Following the announcement of the next Contract for Difference auction round, offshore wind projects above 300 MW wishing to enter the auction round must submit a Supply Chain Plan for assessment by the Department. The Government will assess the extent to which plans support Competition, Innovation and Skill in supply chains.