A new report from the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, produced in collaboration with Innovate UK’s Workforce Foresighting Hub and sponsored by RenewableUK, outlines the skills and technological developments needed to expand the use of robotics in the UK offshore wind sector by 2030. The document highlights the role of robotics and autonomous systems in addressing maintenance tasks, such as inspecting turbine blades for structural damage and monitoring bolt integrity, across an estimated 30,000 blades and 10 million bolts at wind energy sites in the UK.
The report argues that these systems offer an alternative to manual offshore labour and are integral to scaling operations in line with national clean energy targets. According to the report, the offshore wind workforce, currently estimated at 40,000, must increase to at least 74,000 to meet the UK’s Clean Power 2030 goals. It recommends integrating robotics education into existing academic and vocational programmes, reskilling existing workers, and expanding on-the-job training. The report also encourages closer collaboration between wind farm operators, turbine manufacturers, and robotics developers to ensure infrastructure is compatible with autonomous technologies.
The study calls for coordinated efforts between industry and education providers to align workforce training with evolving technological requirements in offshore wind operations. Danielle Portsmouth, Future Skills Manager at ORE Catapult, said: “The UK maintains a world-leading position in terms of offshore wind experience and installed capacity, but without continued focus on maintaining the pipeline of skills and talent into the sector, we risk not being able to maintain this.
“This report is a call to action to everyone operating within the offshore wind industry – it identifies the skills development that needs to be put in place now, so we can realise the benefits of emerging technologies, such as robotics, in the future. Action is needed now to ensure that input from foresighting can be delivered into industry via training and education, in timescales that support UK 2030 targets.”
RenewableUK’s Head of Skills Scott Young said: “As this report shows, the UK needs to build the skills and workforce required to accelerate the implementation of robotics and autonomous systems which will enable us to operate and maintain offshore wind farms even more efficiently in the future, and at a lower cost. The UK is set to ramp up offshore wind deployment significantly in the years ahead to strengthen our energy security and meet the Government’s targets of clean power by 2030 and net zero by 2050. We will be building new projects in deeper and more remote waters where using state-of-the-art robotics is the safest option, and therefore the most appropriate course of action.
“Overall, our world-class offshore wind industry will need to attract tens of thousands of people with the right skills to build the energy system of the future. We are determined to seize this opportunity to create high-quality well-paid jobs in cutting-edge technology, especially in innovative and high-value areas like robotics. This report provides a blueprint to ensure that we develop this crucial capability which will help to maintain the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore wind”.
Debbie Johnson, Head of Innovation Talent and Skills at Innovate UK, said: “The output of each workforce foresighting cycle articulates projected supply chain capabilities, future occupational profiles and offers action-driven recommendations, ensuring the UK remains well-positioned to capitalise on technological innovation.”
