There are many different sectors for new engineers to consider starting their career in, or for established engineers to change to should they wish. Offshore wind is one that has been steadily growing for some time, and may soon be one of the most attractive and competitive sectors in energy.
The UK is one of the world’s largest offshore wind markets, with more than 8 GW of turbines operational and plans for 30 GW of capacity to be installed by 2030.
While offshore wind makes up around a third of the UK’s total wind power capacity, it accounts for more than half of the wind industry jobs in the country, so it’s clear that many renewable energy engineering jobs will be in offshore wind.
These roles vary from shipping and foundations specialists, to constructing some of the world’s largest turbine blades, so there are roles for every skill and discipline within engineering.
If you’re just starting out in your engineering career, or thinking about changing the industry you work in, offshore wind is well worth considering.
Why you Should Work in Offshore Wind Development?
Renewable Energy is on the Rise
One of the simplest reasons to work in offshore wind is that renewable energy is becoming more widespread, meaning there will be a greater demand for engineers in the sector, as well as greater job security and choice of location.
The scale of energy generation required with offshore wind demands substantial investment from stakeholders in the local supply chain and supporting infrastructure to create, store, and transport the energy, so many jobs are created in the local community, as workers will be needed with the skills to build and maintain the wind farms.
The size of offshore wind projects means their installation and maintenance inevitably has a positive impact on local communities and jobs, with engineers in constant demand.
Long-term job security
Offshore wind turbines have a lifespan of around 25 years, requiring frequent maintenance and repairs, so your attachment to a project may last a much longer time than on others.
The long-term security is attractive to many engineers, as sometimes small contracts may last a few months or perhaps only weeks, whereas projects that span many years, while sometimes hard to find, offer far more security, as well as looking impressive on a CV. Offshore wind provides a dependable and consistent supply of work, something that engineers who work in the sector often rate as one of the best parts of the job.
The Option to Work Around the World
There are an increasing number of wind farms under construction around the world. One of the world’s largest offshore wind farms, Hornsea One, is based in the UK, 75 miles off the coast of Yorkshire.
There are also offshore farms based in the Netherlands, Germany, China and other countries around the world.
With new offshore wind farms being approved each year, there’s always new options for where you could work.
Salary and Benefits
Competitive rates of pay are part of what makes offshore wind so appealing, not to mention the fact that many workers pay nothing for food or accommodation when they’re living offshore while working on the project.
Offshore wind engineers can also enjoy longer periods off work in between shifts. Shift patterns typically operate on a set number of days on site, then a similar number off, so it isn’t uncommon for engineers to work two weeks, then have two weeks off.
Renewable Energy is Good for Planet
Lastly, it’s important to recognise the positive impact that working in the renewable sector can have on your mental health. People who work in industries that have a high impact on the world for the better often cite it as the most important part of their job, as it gives them a sense of pride and satisfaction that other jobs, even if they paid more, simply couldn’t match.
While engineering can sometimes be a stressful job, at the end of a long day you’ll know that you’re helping to make a difference, making the world a better place, and generating more energy, and energy security, for people who really need it.
As one of the more established forms of renewable energy, offshore wind can provide a competitive salary, long-term job security, and a sense of pride that few engineering sectors can compete with. If you’re thinking about starting a career in renewable energy, offshore wind might be the right choice for you.
Read more about the best engineering jobs for the future, or learn about engineering keywords you need on your CV.
