Energi Coast is to produce a comprehensive report detailing supply chain capabilities for offshore wind off the coast of north-east England.
The initiative, by north-east England’s offshore wind cluster, aims to increase opportunities for local companies in the offshore wind industry.
NOF will manage the initiative, working with a dedicated task group, which includes Energi Coast chairman James Ritchie, plus representatives from developers Equinor, RWE and SSE Renewables, alongside GE Renewable Energy and ORE Catapult.
The supply chain mapping project will identify the range of capabilities available throughout the region to support offshore wind developers and contractors.
It also aims to identify locations with extensive supply chain expertise to base onshore operations, or to tap into the collaborative capabilities of regional companies.
The project will help identify innovations being developed and where transference of skills from other sectors can be used for the future of the offshore wind industry, as well as pinpoint any gaps that might exist in the region’s capabilities.
NOF deputy chief executive and Energi Coast deputy chair Joanne Leng said: “This will be the most comprehensive mapping of North East England’s offshore wind supply chain.
“The combined capabilities of the region’s companies creates a powerful cluster, which has a broad range of specialist expertise to support the offshore wind industry both here in the UK, and also globally as we look at further export potential going forward.
“This project will provide a focal point that showcases the depth of innovation and experience of the region, and help build the cluster further with new entrants to the market.”
Energi Coast, established in 2011, is made up of more than 30 key regional businesses and stakeholder organisations involved in offshore wind.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm vice president Halfdan Brustad said: “We welcome this initiative, it presents a good opportunity to demonstrate what the region can deliver to the offshore wind industry.
“This project will assist us in navigating the regions broad range of capabilities, which is deeply needed for us as new entrants. The Dogger Bank projects will be located at Port of Tyne, and this mapping will give us a valuable insight into the capabilities and innovation potential for our industry.”
Sofia Offshore Wind Farm project director David Few added: “As a project we have ambitions for more than 50% UK content, and so we encourage all north-east suppliers, those working in offshore wind and those with an interest in working in the sector, to engage with Energi Coast’s supply chain mapping work to help ensure it will give as broad a picture of the region as possible and understand what goods and services can be sourced from the area.”