The UK can’t innovate at half-scale - but we can fix that
By Ffion Rodes, Chief Engineer for Wind Energy
Britain has a long history of engineering ingenuity. From early jet engines to offshore wind turbines, we’ve shown we can lead in designing the technologies that shape the world. But we don’t always build the infrastructure to turn good ideas into practical reality.
That matters - not just for growth, but for the UK’s ability to respond to climate targets, energy security and global competition.
One example is the Large Structures Innovation Centre (LSIC) - led by NCC and set to open in 2027. It will offer companies a space to design, develop and industrialise high value manufactured products at scale. That’s open access to tools, expertise and state-of-the-art equipment in a pre-competitive environment, de-risking innovation without each business needing to invest in facility and equipment up front.
It’s about making competitive products through a focus on productivity and lowering the risk to go from prototype to production - not in theory, but in practice.
The challenges lie with large wind blades. Maritime components. Next generation storage systems for hydrogen. These are the technologies where the UK wants to lead - but where scale matters. A structure that performs in simulation can behave very differently at full size with real world tolerances and rate production conditions. Our goal is right first time, every time.
LSIC is built for those early-stage discoveries that save money, time and risk later on. It’s not about research for its own sake - it’s about giving industry somewhere to prove what works before decisions and investments are locked in.
And this is where we’ve often fallen short. The UK has strong researchers and strong manufacturers - but we’ve underinvested in the space between, where ideas succeed or stall. Infrastructure isn’t exciting, but it’s essential.
If we want a serious industrial future - in clean energy and more - we must build the capabilities that make that future possible.
You can learn more about LSIC and how to engage by talking to our experts.
We'll be at JEC World and WindEurope 2026.
Meet our Large Structures experts at JEC World
NCC experts will be available at JEC World to discuss your large structure ambitions. Visit the team at Stand T62, Hall 6.
