30 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 www.hpmag.co.uk The UK’s renewable energy ambitions are bringing significant changes to the engineering requirements of electricity generation, particularly in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind installations. Behind the turbines, electrical infrastructure and generating capacity figures lies an extensive network of mechanical equipment responsible for lifting, positioning, controlling and maintaining increasingly large structures. Hydraulic and pneumatic technologies already contribute to many of these operations, although the demands placed upon them are evolving as renewable energy projects increase in scale and technical complexity. The Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan sets out an ambition for 43 to 50GW of offshore wind capacity by the end of the decade, alongside substantial growth in onshore wind and solar generation. These are ambitious planning ranges rather than assured delivery forecasts, but they provide an indication of the industrial activity associated with the proposed expansion. New installations require manufacturing capacity, port facilities, specialist construction equipment and maintenance services, creating potential demand across a broad range of engineering disciplines. Offshore engineering demands For fluid power suppliers, offshore construction represents a particularly relevant market because the installation of large turbine components depends on equipment capable of generating substantial forces while maintaining controlled movement. Hydraulic systems are employed in heavy lifting machinery, jacking arrangements, tensioning equipment and positioning mechanisms, where their high force capability and relatively compact actuators offer practical advantages. The continued development of larger turbines and foundations is increasing the demands placed on such equipment, not simply in terms of lifting capacity but also structural loading, control accuracy and operational safety. The engineering considerations become more complex when equipment is expected to operate in a marine environment. Exposure to salt-laden atmospheres, moisture, vibration and fluctuating temperatures can influence component selection, sealing arrangements and corrosion protection. Hydraulic fluid cleanliness is another important consideration, particularly where sensitive control valves and precision components are involved. Contamination can contribute to accelerated wear, impaired performance and premature failure, making filtration and effective maintenance procedures essential to dependable operation. Access restrictions offshore give these issues additional significance. A component failure that might be addressed relatively quickly in a factory can require considerably more planning when the equipment is installed at sea, particularly if specialist vessels, lifting equipment or suitable weather conditions are needed. Consequently, the initial purchase price of a hydraulic component may represent only a small proportion of its overall operational cost. Within wind turbines, hydraulic technology continues to be used in certain blade pitch control arrangements, where actuators adjust blade angles to regulate aerodynamic loading and power output. Hydraulic systems can incorporate accumulators to provide stored energy for specified safety functions, including movement towards a safe blade position when normal power is unavailable. Electric pitch systems are also widely employed, however, and turbine manufacturers select between the technologies according to the requirements of their particular designs. This coexistence of hydraulic and electric solutions illustrates a broader development affecting fluid power engineering. Electrically driven actuators have become increasingly capable and can offer advantages in positioning accuracy, installation simplicity and the elimination of hydraulic fluid circuits. Hydraulics nevertheless retains useful characteristics in applications involving high forces, demanding mechanical loads and restricted installation space. The choice is rarely determined by a single performance measure, with duty cycle, control requirements, environmental conditions, maintenance access and whole-life costs all influencing equipment selection. Efficiency of hydraulic systems Increasing attention is also being directed towards the efficiency of hydraulic systems themselves. Losses associated with throttling, pressure drops, internal leakage and continuously operating pumps can become significant over extended operating periods, particularly where machinery experiences variable loads. Variable-speed pump drives, load-sensing controls and improved circuit design offer opportunities to reduce unnecessary energy consumption, although the actual savings depend on how the equipment operates. A system designed primarily for intermittent high-force movements will present different optimisation opportunities from one operating continuously under changing loads. The relevance of energy efficiency extends into the manufacturing supply chain, where pneumatic equipment remains widely used for automated handling, assembly, tooling and production processes. Compressed air is a convenient and versatile industrial utility, but its generation consumes considerable electrical energy. The UK’s Energy Technology List identifies compressed-air equipment as accounting for approximately 10% of industrial electricity consumption, highlighting the potential value of reducing leakage, avoiding Can fluid power keep pace with the UK’s renewable energy expansion? The expansion of renewable energy infrastructure is creating new demands for hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, but reliability, efficiency and application-specific engineering will determine where these technologies offer the greatest value. H&P reports. SPECIAL REPORTS – FLUID POWER & RENEWABLES
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