UK Research and Innovation is investing £16.7 million to build “the manufacturing capability Britain needs to lead the electric revolution”. The funding will go to 10 different projects around the UK, each surrounding the self-sufficiency of Britain’s supply chains for power electronics, machines, and drives.
The ten supported projects range from rare earth metal requirements in electric drive systems to “develop sovereign supply chains for manufacturing a range of PEMD components and products.” The projects are generally focusing on electric transport, utilities and industry, while PEMD stands for the previously-mentioned “power electronics, machines, and drives”.
This is not to be the only investment in the area, as the organizers explain that the £16.7 million investment is part of an overall funding pot of £80 million. “This investment will support the UK’s push towards a net-zero carbon economy and contribute to the development of clean technology supply chains worth £80 billion by 2050.” Part of this investment will be £33 million going to create a network of regional industrialisation centres in Strathclyde, Sunderland, Nottingham and Newport.
A sum of £6 million will also go towards training a skilled workforce to support the “UK’s high-tech green economy of the future”.
“The coming electric revolution presents an opportunity to put the UK at the forefront of a burgeoning industry, creating manufacturing jobs and prosperity across the country,” said UKRI Director Professor Will Drury, adding: “By building a sovereign supply chain, we can help make sure zero-emission technologies are truly zero-emission, while both mitigating against overseas supply chain disruption and cementing the UK’s place at the forefront of a burgeoning industry.”
“It’s allowing us to bring together advanced simulations tools, high-value manufacturing capability, and development expertise to maximise novel UK intellectual property,” says Marc Brand, Director of Business Development at Supply Design Limited, “Without support, the interaction would be too risky and we would lose the collaborative interaction, expertise and focus required to create clear competitive advantages in this fast-growing niche.”
Keyword: UK invests in EV supply chains