The National Composites Centre (NCC), Bristol Composites Institute (BCI), and global wind energy leader Vestas have announced a strategic technology research partnership aimed at anchoring the UK’s future wind industry. This multi-year collaboration will focus on accelerating the development of wind blade technology, crucial for advancing the UK’s clean energy ambitions and ensuring resilience within the supply chain.
With the UK Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan projecting a potential £92 billion domestic economic opportunity by 2040, the partnership seeks to maximize this potential by driving innovation in advanced product and technology development. The focus will be on lowering energy costs, enhancing sustainability, and creating new jobs, skills, and export opportunities within the UK supply chain.
Kasper Roed Jensen, Vice President of New Concepts at Vestas R&D, emphasized the importance of working with research leaders like NCC and BCI to develop next-generation composite materials and sustainable energy solutions. Leaders from NCC and BCI also expressed their commitment to advancing ‘green industry’ technologies and pioneering innovations in the wind energy sector.
This collaboration, one of three global university partnerships led by Vestas, aligns with NCC’s Joule Challenge and SusWIND programmes, which focus on design, manufacturing, and sustainability for offshore wind turbines. Together, the partners aim to propel the UK toward its net-zero targets while strengthening its position as a global clean energy leader.
