Germany was the top destination for UK wind and marine renewables exports last year, said RenewableUK in a study that underlines the burgeoning significance of the sectors to the British economy.

The industry body – which released its Export Nation report on the eve of the Global Offshore Wind conference and exhibition in Manchester – said 43 companies sampled had struck 445 deals to work on 434 wind, wave and tidal projects on every continent in 2017, including Antarctica.