“We help close the skills gap while advancing workforce diversity”: Donna Ellcock discusses skills and UK offshore wind with Energía Estratégica

Offshore wind energy in the UK progresses ambitiously, but it faces obstacles in regulatory approvals, local infrastructure, and supply chain costs. Donna Ellcock, Managing Director of Offshore Wind at Taylor Hopkinson, shares her insights with Energía Estratégica España on the solutions needed to meet energy transition goals.

The UK has established itself as a global leader in offshore wind energy, with the ambitious target of increasing its installed capacity from 14GW currently to 30GW by 2030.

However, Donna Ellcock, Managing Director of Offshore Wind at Taylor Hopkinson, reveals to Energía Estratégica España that achieving this target presents significant challenges in key areas such as grid infrastructure, regulatory processes, and international collaboration.

“While offshore wind projects in the UK are growing, much of the fabrication is still happening outside the country,” says Donna. This has led Taylor Hopkinson, to offer workforce solutions in countries like Thailand, China, South Korea, and Indonesia to support developers who are fabricating components internationally for UK-based projects. “We need focused investment in areas such as turbine manufacturing, cable production, and port infrastructure to meet local content requirements effectively and reduce our external dependency.  Our global infrastructure across 46 countries allows us to access high-quality resources globally while continuing to advocate for strengthened UK-based supply chains,” she emphasises.

Regulatory Challenges and Permitting Processes

One of the biggest obstacles for developing these projects is the lengthy permitting process. “On average, permits for offshore wind projects in the UK take between seven and ten years,” Donna explains. This delay not only undermines investor confidence but also complicates achieving clean energy targets.

Donna advocates for greater standardisation and agility in regulatory procedures without compromising environmental assessments. Recent discussions around streamlining regulatory frameworks have been promising, with the UK government piloting initiatives to reduce permitting timelines. However, more concrete action is needed,” Donna says. “We must explore ways to accelerate environmental impact assessments and government approval processes while maintaining our rigorous approach to sustainability.”

Grid Infrastructure and Workforce Skills

Another major challenge is the capacity of the electrical infrastructure to accommodate the growth of wind energy. “As the demand for offshore wind grows, so does the evident need to improve the grid infrastructure,” comments Donna. This shortfall creates tension in the availability of technical skills and resources.

To address this shortage, Taylor Hopkinson has driven the transfer of skills from other sectors into roles such as electrical engineering, environmental permitting, and project design. “We have successfully leveraged transferable skills from industries like oil and gas and service leavers.  By partnering with training organisations and offering tailored workforce solutions, we help close the skills gap while advancing workforce diversity,” she notes.

Government Initiatives and Funding

The British government’s investment has been another crucial factor in the sector’s progress. At the recent COP29, the UK announced a commitment of over £200 million for infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Ellcock welcomes these initiatives but highlights that more concrete actions are still needed.

“The government is taking the right approach by committing, but it is vital to translate this into tangible investments, particularly in ports and infrastructure for floating wind farms,” she argues.

Additionally, she stresses the importance of adjusting the terms of Contracts for Difference (CFDs) to address rising costs in the supply chain. “The market is volatile, and material costs have risen significantly; CFDs need to adapt to reflect these realities,” she notes.

International Collaboration and Post-Brexit

Cooperation between the UK and the European Union is also key to overcoming barriers created post-Brexit. Donna points out that restrictions on labour mobility have affected the availability of specific skills for offshore projects.

The Managing Director states: “The government policy for Offshore Wind Workers Immigration Concession (OWWIC) was terminated in 2023 and this has had a big impact on international installation companies working offshore on UK projects as they have a crew from all over the world on their vessels.” In this context, she hopes that recent discussions between the British Prime Minister and Ursula von der Leyen will foster bilateral agreements that benefit both sides. “Greater flexibility for key competencies could unlock collaboration potential and help address our immediate needs for offshore wind construction” she concludes.

Despite the challenges, Donna remains optimistic about the future of offshore wind energy in the UK. “At Taylor Hopkinson, we are committed to supporting this transition by providing tailored recruitment and workforce solutions that address immediate needs while building long-term capacity,” she says.

“With a combined strategy of local investment, international collaboration, and regulatory adjustments, the UK can solidify its position as a global leader in the transition to clean energy and achieve its net-zero emissions targets by 2050”