UK primed for £81bn renewable energy pipeline

Renewable energy projects will account for nearly half of all infrastructure work between now and 2025, according to a new analysis.

The figures from construction analyst Barbour ABI, which provides construction data for the Office for National Statistics, showed that £81bn of renewable energy projects are planned over the next ten years.

It said there was a pipeline of 405 projects, which accounted for 47% of proposed UK infrastructure projects.

All but 17 of the schemes are new build and include multiple phases of the East Anglia One offshore wind farm totalling £10.8bn and the £3.75bn Hornsea off-shore wind farm.

Wind farms accounted for nine of the ten most valuable projects.

But the £81bn total is boosted by the £25bn Severn Barrage project, which is currently facing stiff opposition from the government and is unlikely to be built in its current form.

Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said the “staggering investment” in renewable energy “showed no signs of slowing”.

He added: “According to our latest Economic and Construction Market Review, utilities were the major infrastructure project type in September and this is no surprise given the number and value of contracts being awarded which is due, among other things, to the levels of subsidy currently provided by the government.

“With a number of these projects already confirmed and many more at early stages of planning, the future of renewable energy construction in the UK looks bright.”