The Crown Estate Supply Chain Accelerator Fund

In June 2024 The Crown Estate established a £50m Supply Chain Accelerator fund (the Accelerator) to catalyse the capacity and capability of the UK supply chain in order to support a thriving offshore wind industry. The Accelerator provides early-stage development funding for offshore wind supply chain projects, supporting them to be investment-ready.

Second round of the Supply Chain Accelerator now live 

Following the passing of The Crown Estate Act 2025, they have now launched an expanded second round of the Supply Chain Accelerator, which builds on a successful first round in 2024 where nearly £5 million was awarded to 13 organisations.  

The second funding round has been increased to £15 million, with each successful applicant able to access up to £1.5 million of matched funding for UK projects that support the deployment of Offshore Wind.  

The scope has also increased. Whilst the first round of the Supply Chain Accelerator was aimed at projects supporting the development of floating offshore wind, the second round is available to projects facilitating the deployment of both fixed and floating offshore wind.   

In this round, projects or facilities that support the manufacturing, fabrication and late-stage testing of fixed and floating offshore wind components, aligned with the priorities identified in the Industrial Growth Plan will be considered.

Ports which can support offshore wind (including through wet storage and the fabrication of operations & maintenance vessels) are also included within the scope, given the role that ports can play as important hubs for the construction, operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms. 

Who can apply?

• Organisations registered in the UK with a UK presence. 
• In cases of consortiums or the creation of special purpose vehicles, a lead Applicant must be identified. 

What are The Crown Estate looking to fund?

They are looking to fund the development phase for new facilities to support the deployment of fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind-related port infrastructure and supply chain facilities across the UK. 

Eligible activities within the development phase include: market research, market assessment, business planning, concept design, site selection, site investigations, surveys, submissions of planning applications, technical studies, environmental studies, design feasibility, feasibility studies, modelling studies and investment case development. 

The scope is to support eligible projects and facilities which: 

• Align with the UK Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan’s (IGP) priority manufacturing industries sub-sectors, i.e. factories, manufacturing plants or tooling and fabrication facilities to support:

  • Advanced Turbine Technology (blades and towers) 

  • Industrialised Foundations and Substructures (foundations, moorings and anchors)   

  • Future Electrical Systems and Cables (array and export cables) 

  • Next Gen installation, operation and maintenance to support the UK offshore wind market  

  • Smart environmental services  

• Meet the late-stage component test or demonstration facilities as outlined in the IGP recommendations e.g. facilities associated with WinDDHub or ATTI to support the UK offshore wind market.  

• Provide offshore wind crew transfer vessel (CTV)/ service operation vessel (SOV) fabrication facilities & associated infrastructure.  

• Encompass offshore wind fixed and floating suitable ports infrastructure including (i) ports for construction, assembly, integration/ commissioning, marshalling, operations and maintenance (ii) wet storage and (iii) ports to support manufacturing and import/export activities to support the UK offshore wind market.

Applications

Businesses can apply for up to £1.5 million per eligible project, with The Crown Estate providing 50% match funding for early-stage development expenditure. They will also look for the option to participate in the capital investment phase.  

The application window will close on Friday 27 June 2025. Successful projects will be announced before the end of the year following assessment of applications, negotiation of funding and commitment agreements and necessary approvals. 

To apply, create an account on the online application portal by clicking to register your interest.

A a series of webinars are being hosted where you can find out more:

11 April, 10am-11am: Information on eligibility criteria and application process. View webinar slides here.

24 April, 10am-11am: Repeat of webinar on 11 April.

1 May, 10am-11am: An opportunity to outline the funding and commitment agreements and to answer questions about the application process.

15 May, 10am-11am: Repeat of webinar on 1 May.

12 June, 10am-11am: Final webinar providing further opportunity to ask questions.

If you have a question or to register for a webinar, please email accelerator@thecrownestate.co.uk and a member of the team will be in touch.