The UK’s National Wealth Fund (NWF) has published a new strategic plan to drive more than £100 billion of investment into the UK economy over the next five years. This figure includes deployment of the Fund’s own capital alongside the private finance it expects to attract, with the aim of unlocking growth, supporting key industries, and advancing the government’s clean energy agenda.
Under the plan, the NWF will deploy its remaining capital by 2030/31 and focus on three strategic priorities:
- Unlocking growth opportunities on the clean energy pathway by backing critical technologies and projects that support decarbonisation and could help lower energy costs.
- Accelerating place-based investment across all four nations of the UK by providing finance and expertise for regionally significant developments.
- Strengthening sovereign and strategic capabilities by investing in sectors that bolster national security, resilience and future industrial leadership.
The Fund has identified 10 priority sectors where it expects to play the most catalytic role. These include ports and supply chains, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, battery manufacturing and electric vehicle supply chains, steel, power grid upgrades, energy storage, nuclear, transport infrastructure and place-based regeneration. It plans to collectively commit around £5.8 billion to these areas over the strategy period, depending on project readiness and supportive policy.
In addition, the NWF will explore opportunities in 15 further sectors linked to high growth and innovation, such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced materials, sustainable aviation fuels, water infrastructure, solar and heat networks.
The strategy is expected to create or support more than 200,000 jobs and contribute to saving up to 500 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions by 2050. To date, the Fund has committed about a third of its capital, mobilised over £17 billion of private investment and helped support or create more than 70,000 jobs.
Key Positive Impacts
✔ The strategy is set to drive over £100bn of investment into the UK economy.
✔ It supports job creation (200,000+ anticipated).
✔ Focuses on clean energy and decarbonisation, reinforcing environmental progress.
✔ Includes investment in strategic sectors that strengthen supply chains and future capabilities.
✔ Leverages private capital alongside public funding to maximise impact.
