A new report commissioned by RenewableUK suggests that expanding the UK’s onshore wind supply chain could contribute up to £56 billion in gross value added (GVA) to the economy by 2050, alongside the creation of thousands of jobs across the country.

When combined with the £98 billion expected from the current onshore wind supply chain under existing policy conditions, the sector’s total economic contribution could reach £154 billion over the same period, according to the analysis.

The findings are part of a supply chain capability assessment conducted by consultants Everoze, which identifies key areas of opportunity for UK industry, including the manufacturing of wind turbine blades, towers, steel structures, nacelles, drivetrains, cables, and high-voltage electrical equipment.

The report also highlights the UK’s established role in producing high-value replacement parts for turbine refurbishment, describing this segment as a key “easy win” for domestic manufacturers.

Around 70% of lifecycle spending in UK onshore wind projects already occurs domestically, with supply chain activity spread across multiple regions of the country.

Looking ahead, the report notes that UK onshore wind capacity could grow from around 16GW today to more than 50GW by 2050 under an ambitious deployment scenario. A significant share of this expansion is expected to come from repowering projects, where older turbines are replaced with more efficient models.

The analysis sets out three main recommendations for industry and government: increasing investment in domestic manufacturing facilities, improving cost competitiveness through lower industrial electricity prices and reduced taxes and tariffs, and prioritising refurbishment and repowering opportunities to strengthen the supply chain.

James Robottom, Head of Onshore Wind Delivery at RenewableUK, said the sector represents a major engine of economic growth, adding that greater investment in manufacturing capacity could unlock significant job creation and export opportunities.

He also called for stronger policy support and lower energy costs for industrial users to help accelerate investment.

Michael Shanks, Minister for Energy at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Onshore Wind Industry Council Co-Chair, said onshore wind can deliver billions in economic value and help create good jobs, adding that recent policy changes have helped “get the industry back on track” after years of limited deployment.

Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF power solutions UK and Ireland and Onshore Wind Industry Council Co-Chair, highlighted the importance of a stable policy framework, skilled workforce, and strong market access to fully realise the sector’s potential, adding that UK onshore wind could “triple by 2050” under current projections.