A new international study into the economic supply chain for offshore wind energy in the North Sea area was conducted by Douglas-Westwood (UK) and commissioned by the EU funded POWER (Pushing Offshore Wind Energy Regions) project, an international consortium of key offshore wind energy organisations around the North Sea. The study concludes that for the POWER project countries in the Southern North Sea (the UK, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands), expenditure in offshore wind is forecast to exceed €7.6 billion over the next 5 years, which is 59% of all global offshore wind expenditure. In the same period, it is forecast that more than 5,600 new jobs could be created in the sector in these four countries.

The study assesses the existing supply chain capabilities of the POWER regions around the Southern North Sea (East of England, Denmark, North-Western Germany and North of North Holland) on strengths, weaknesses and compatibility. It concludes that the POWER regions contain the world's leading suppliers to the offshore wind industry and together with their supply chain, they have the ability to present an unequalled offering to European and global markets.

John Westwood of Douglas-Westwood said: "The POWER regions together are the world leader in offshore wind, both in operational and planned capacity, and in capability. While no individual region can demonstrate excellence in every aspect of the offshore wind supply chain, together, the individual regions have full capability throughout all identifiable supply chain activities."

Michael Moll, coordinator of the supply chain work of the POWER project, commented: "This study makes a very strong case for the regions around the Southern North Sea to work together to ensure that their global leadership is maintained. The POWER project is about establishing a North Sea competence centre for offshore wind energy, and this study confirms that the POWER partners make up a very strong combination of skills."