Manufacturing Facility Support Programme (United Kingdom)

MFSP Grants will fund pre-financial investment decision activities that are critical to unlocking capital investment in UK manufacturing facilities. These facilities should make key components, equipment and systems required for the offshore wind sector.

Aims

• The MFSP aims to increase UK offshore wind manufacturing capability and capacity by:
  • Funding early-stage (pre-investment) development activities for Projects.
  • Delivering bankable Projects that are ready for capital investment.
  • Aligning with the industry’s “make”, “nurture to make” and “protect” strategies and priority focus areas.

Scope

• The aim of this competition is to support UK supply chain companies to build new manufacturing facilities or expand existing manufacturing facilities for offshore wind. Companies are invited to submit applications for Projects that demonstrate high growth potential and will enable
  • CAPEX investment of at least £5m within 2 years of completion of the Project.
  • Increases in annual sales turnover, achieving at least £5m within 5 years (within UK and/or exports).
  • At least 20 new UK jobs within 5 years.
• In 2024, the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) published the Industrial Growth Plan (IGP) which targets £25bn of GVA through a focus on technology areas vital to domestic supply, or in which they have the capabilities to build UK competitive advantage and leadership. A “make” or “buy” prioritisation assessment identified the strengths and opportunities for the UK. The outcomes highlighted key focus areas for the UK to “Make”, “Nurture to Make” and “Protect”. The Manufacturing Facility Support Programme considers ALL categories and sub-categories identified in these groups.
  • Industrialised Foundations & Substructures
  • Advanced Turbine Technology
  • Future Electrical Systems & Cables
  • Next-Gen Installation, Operations & Management
  • Smart Environmental Services.
• The scope areas of this Manufacturing Facility Support Programme competition will reflect the five UK priority areas identified in the IGP, specifically the “Make” section. They would also consider projects that fit under the “Nurture to Make” and “Protect” categories detailed in the IGP report. Proposals should demonstrate clear alignment and growth potential in at least one of the above focus areas.

Funding Information

• Grants of £150k to £500k.
• Project Duration Projects can be between 9 months and 18 months duration.

Eligible Activities

• Eligible activities can include the following:
  • Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) Studies
  • Technology specification
  • Facility specification
  • Facility optimisation
  • Equipment specification
  • Groundworks/Geotechnical
  • Site selection/specification
  • Technical/environmental/feasibility studies
  • Investment Case Development
  • Early Procurement/Cost Estimate Development
  • Quantity Surveying
  • Planning applications

Project Type

• They will fund Projects that align with the scope areas and will enable growth for UK offshore wind manufacturing.

Ineligible Projects

• Please note, the MFSP competition will not fund Projects:
  • Developing or investing in equipment or technology
  • Developing and implementing new operational processes
  • Exploring new innovations
  • Focused on skills and training programmes
  • Focused on infrastructure investments that may support multiple facilities
  • That are not led by a registered UK company
  • That do not have a distinct scope that is unlikely to materialise without OWGP funding
  • That would be considered “business as usual” activity
  • From companies that cannot clearly demonstrate a business case or market opportunity
  • From companies that cannot demonstrate Match Funding
  • From companies that cannot demonstrate profitability
  • From companies that have already received 3 or more previous OWGP funding awards
  • That have already been resubmitted to OWGP following an initial unsuccessful application
  • That will not be ready to start by February 2026

Eligibility Criteria

• The Applicant must meet the following criteria:
  • Be a UK-registered company of any size and have a UK presence.
  • Applicants cannot submit a funding application for a Project that does not have a distinct scope that is unlikely to materialise without external funding support.
  • The Project scope cannot be described as “business as usual”.
  • The Project scope must lead to investment in a new manufacturing facility or in an existing facility that services the offshore wind market.
  • Applicants must demonstrate clear alignment with at least one of the five priority focus areas (identified in the Industrial Growth Plan).
  • Show a clear intent to manufacture components, equipment or systems that supply the offshore wind sector.
  • Have not received 3 or more OWGP funding awards previously (this excludes any Business Transformation Programmes).
  • If resubmitting a proposal from a previous OWGP funding competition that was unsuccessful, this is the first and only resubmission.
  • Demonstrate existing capability in offshore wind or have a firm plan for working in offshore wind
  • Show a clear commitment to grow the business in terms of turnover, UK jobs, UK exports and UK-based IP with justification and evidence provided.
  • Demonstrate a credible route to unlocking capital investment in the facility
  • Provide monetary and/or in-kind contribution to the total Project costs
  • Make only one submission to this funding call per company
  • Explain how this Project would not take place without OWGP support and why this funding is additional to business-as-usual activity.

For more information, visit OWGP.