OrbisEnergy has launched a £6m grant fund which it hopes will attract new ideas, technologies and solutions for East Anglia’s offshore renewables industry.
The Score fund is backed by European cash and is more than double the scheme’s £2.5m first phase.
OrbisEnergy said it has the potential to help some 200 companies create up to 100 new jobs.
Score was launched today at the southern North Sea offshore energy conference at the Royal Norfolk Showground.
The company’s business development lead Johnathan Reynolds said:”This region has an enviable pedigree, not only being at the heart of the world’s biggest offshore wind market, but our regional businesses are working on, have worked on, or are supporting almost every offshore wind development across the globe.
“There is world-leading expertise and technology here in the East. It is shaping the future of the industry, and our aim is that our Score grants will help local companies be part of that bringing fresh ideas and new technologies which can further reduce the cost of developing offshore wind and ensure the longer-term role that this vital industry will play in securing our future energy needs.”
He added: “SMEs are incredibly innovative but often have limited resources, so we want to encourage them to go further, develop and integrate new products and services, position them in the market place and open doors through new contacts which will lead to profitable contracts.”
The Score team is a partnership made up of enterprise specialists Nwes, energy advisory outfit Nautilus Associates and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
Image: Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm (RWE)
OrbisEnergy opens £6m grant call
Score fund aimed at East Anglia's offshore renewables industry
By EBS