Reducing cost of energy in the offshore wind energy industry: The promise and potential of supply chain management

Purpose To support ongoing industry efforts to reduce the cost of energy (CoE) of offshore wind compared to other types of energy sources, researchers are applying scientific models and thought processes to identify potential areas of improvement and optimization. This paper aims to introduce a conceptual framework from a supply chain management (SCM) perspective, aimed at promoting the reduction of CoE in the offshore wind energy industry. Design/methodology/approach Using conceptual arguments from current academic literature in SCM, a comprehensive framework is presented that clarifies how SCM practices can be used by offshore wind energy industry to reduce CoE. Findings The offshore wind energy sector is a young industry that must reduce CoE to compete with other forms of energy. Applying a supply chain perspective in the offshore wind industry has hitherto been limited to the academic community. This paper offers a SCM framework that includes three interdependent aspects of reducing CoE – innovation, industrialization and supplier partnering – to guide the industry towards sources to reduce CoE. Research limitations/implications SCM is a broad research area; thus, the presented framework to reduce the CoE is open for further development. Practical implications The paper provides insights into how the CoE can be reduced through innovation, industrialization and partnering in the offshore wind energy supply chain. Originality/value The paper offers a seminal contribution by introducing a SCM framework to understand sources and approaches to reduce CoE in the offshore wind energy industry.

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