Integrating UK foundries into offshore wind supply chain could generate £14.6bln
Further UK participation in offshore wind castings and forgings supply chains has many benefits to the country, the Cast Metals Federation claim.
Castings and forgings are essential components for offshore windfarms.
Used in turbines, foundation substations and balance of plant, it is expected that more than 2Mt of castings and forgings will be required across the UK offshore wind pipeline between 2026 and 2050.
The Cast Metals Federation claim UK manufacturers are already supplying around 8% of the total castings and forgings demand.
They identify significant opportunities to expand in line with the sector's Industrial Growth Plan priorities.
Existing capability could increase participation to 14%, while future investment in areas such as forged rings, hub castings and drivetrain components, could increase capability to as much as 37% of total demand – adding £14.6bln in gross value added by 2050, equivalent to 41% of the market.
‘This Bill of Works report clearly sets out an unprecedented opportunity for the UK foundry and forging industries to contribute significantly more to the offshore wind sector,’ says Lee Marshall, Chief Executive of the Cast Metals Federation.
‘Increased UK energy supply from wind could also reduce the cost of energy for foundries, boosting their global competitiveness in the process - a full circularity of wins you could argue.’
Switching to more homegrown content will reduce the need to bring parts in from overseas, as well as reusing valuable metal resources, including steel, copper and aluminium. Increased capacity in the domestic market could also deliver major export gains, the report says.
The UK Castings & Forgings Bill of Works assesses offshore wind demand for cast and forged components and domestic capability to supply them.
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