Offshore Wind industry making ‘real strides’ in public understanding despite ‘fragmented’ consensus
The offshore wind industry is making "real strides" in terms of showing the public what it is doing, despite a "fragmented" consensus on the technology, according to Great British Energy’s (GBE) director of supply chain.
Speaking at the Offshore Wind Connections 2026 conference, GBE’s Rob Gilbert hailed the Humber region as the “absolute case study” for why the UK has been successful in the offshore wind sector.
Launched last year by the Labour Government, GBE is a publicly owned energy investment company which invests into clean power generation.
Speaking at the conference, which was held in Hull, Mr Gilbert described the offshore wind sector as “the most crucial part of our storytelling around clean energy”.
He added “I think we're genuinely at a sea change moment. We're seeing money now being deployed with intent, and we're seeing money being deployed quickly.
“We all work in this industry, so we see the impact, but actually the general public don't necessarily see the day-to-day impact of the offshore wind industry.
“I think that is something where we are making real strides now. I think we’re beginning to change that, because and also the narrative and consensus is fragmented, so we've got an obligation to do that.”
It comes amid mounting scepticism around the green energy sector from the political right, with the Reform Party announcing in February that it would impose taxes on the renewable energy sector.
The party has also previously said it plans to scrap the country’s Net Zero target.
A recent report from Transition Economics argued that the party’s policies could lead to the loss of 500,000 within three years.
Speaking at the Hull conference, Mr Gilbert also argued for industrial security to be at the top of the agenda in the green energy drive.
He said: “Industrial Security is something that we absolutely have to focus on.
“It's not just about generating clean power. It's about who builds it, and where to build it, and who captures that value.
“For 25 years, we've deployed more offshore wind than anywhere else in the world, outside of China.
“We've got ports, we've got supply chains, and we have the expertise in the workforce to have become genuinely world leading in what we do, particularly here, particularly at the northeast coast.”
His reflections on the region were also echoed by a string of attendees at the conference.
Tor Arne Johnsen, business development manager with the Norwegian Wind Cluster, described the Humber as “probably born of the most attractive regions in Europe when it comes to investment and activities in offshore wind”, adding: “very few regions in Europe have the same capabilities today or the plans for the future as you do.”
Finbarr Dowling, chair of Humber Freeport, also described the Humber region as “unbeatable” as a place for companies to invest.
He added “All of the data and research we see is that for big institutions across the globe, the UK is a very very attractive market People are wanting to invest in the UK, and what we’re saying to them is, ‘the Humber is ready’”.