Cash awards boost offshore wind supply chain

The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) says the money must be used in early-stage ‘development phase activities’ for new or existing facilities to ‘immediately enable them to become ready for capital investment to support the build’.

Manufacturing Facility Support Programme (MFSP) funding focuses on early-stage, pre-FID development work—the often underfunded phase that determines whether manufacturing projects reach investment readiness. Eligible activities include FEED studies, site selection, facility and equipment specification, environmental and feasibility studies, planning applications, and investment case development.

Under the MFSP, projects will receive up to £500,000 each – if they are expected to generate at least £5 milloin in capital expenditure and £5 million in annual revenue.

Companies awarded in this funding round include King Site Services (SW) Limited, Mainstay Marine Solutions, Marine Power Systems, Peterhead Energy Service Base Limited (part of MDL), and PPI Engineering Ltd: projects that range from secondary steel production for floating wind and deep-water platform fabrication to turbine generator repair facilities and a new cable-handling centre.

OWGP Project manager Tom Piper said the programme was aimed squarely at unlocking momentum where it is most needed. “The Manufacturing Facility Support Programme is specifically designed to unlock progress at the point where strong projects need targeted support to move toward final investment decisions,” he said. “This second funding round demonstrates the depth of opportunity within the UK supply chain.”

Each project must be supported by at least 50% company contribution, either in cash or in-kind. A typical £1 million project, said the spokeswoman, could comprise £500,000 in MFSP funding, alongside £250,000 in direct company investment and £250,000 in in-kind support, such as labour and internal resources.

The funding itself is provided by the Offshore Wind Industry Council and comes from private-sector sources.

Lynne McIntosh-Grieve, head of Programme Delivery at OWGP, highlighted the programme’s role in strengthening long-term industrial capability.

“MFSP provides a vital bridge between early development work and major capital investment, enabling businesses to turn strong concepts into investable, deliverable facilities,” she said. “These awards will support long-term industrial growth, high-value job creation and increased competitiveness across the UK supply chain.”

“This programme is about building lasting capability within the UK, not just supporting individual projects,” said Iain Sinclair, executive director at Global Energy Service Holding and non-executive director for OWGP. “Through two funding rounds, MFSP has now supported 10 companies, laying the foundations for sustained growth, export potential and a more resilient domestic supply chain.”

With offshore wind deployment set to accelerate towards 2030 targets, OWGP believes targeted interventions such as MFSP will be critical in ensuring UK manufacturers are ready to deliver at pace and scale.