A delegation from a Brazilian multinational oil and gas firm Petrobras is visiting north-east England to consult with leading supply chain companies in the offshore wind sector.
Petrobras is involved in developing Brazil’s fledgling offshore wind industry and has sent a team on a fact-finding mission to study how the north-east region has been able to position itself as a global leader in the offshore wind industry.
During the visit, hosted by Durham-based NOF Energy, the delegates will visit sector specialists including Wilton Engineering, PD Ports, DeepOcean, Osbit and Smulders Projects UK. Members of the Department for International Trade Brazil will accompany the delegation.
The visitors include member of the team involved in the implementation, engineering and research of an offshore pilot project, which Petrobras aims to have up and running in Rio Grande do Norte state by 2022.
NOF Energy Deputy chief executive Joanne Leng said: “The supply chain cluster in the North East is considered an exemplar within the industry and I’m confident Petrobras will gain a valuable insight into why it is a global leader in offshore wind energy.
“The fact the delegation has chosen to visit this region is an exceptional vote of confidence in the outstanding levels of expertise, knowledge and innovation based here.”
Petrobras recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Norwegian firm Equinor (formerly Statoil) to evaluate a joint business development to establish offshore wind generation in Brazil.