The Universities of Edinburgh and Dundee have launched UKRI-funded programme to accelerate offshore wind innovation through collaboration with industry.
The £2.5 million Place-Based Impact Accelerator programme was unveiled at a two-day event held at the Edinburgh Futures Institute on 29 and 30 May, in partnership with Forth & Tay Offshore.
The initiative aims to boost research-driven industrial partnerships in Scotland’s renewables sector, with a strong focus on offshore wind supply chains in the Forth and Tay region.
Academic leaders and researchers met on the first day to identify potential projects and strategies for industry engagement, followed by a private dinner to introduce select partners to the scheme.
Around 70 industry and academic stakeholders attended the formal launch on 30 May, where funding opportunities and existing collaborations were showcased.
Professor Alasdair McDonald, chair in renewable technologies at the University of Edinburgh, said: “Our official launch of the funding programme marks a significant step in strengthening Scotland’s offshore wind sector through place-based innovation, industry collaboration, and targeted funding support.”
Professor Michael Brown of the University of Dundee said: “The engagement from industry at our launch event was very encouraging. It was clear that challenges lie ahead for the offshore wind sector in the East of Scotland, however a collaborative approach is well placed to help deliver those ambitious plans.”
Guests toured the FloWave facility as part of the launch, gaining insight into leading-edge simulation technologies used in offshore research.
The programme is funded by UKRI and aims to create long-term impact by deepening links between universities and offshore wind developers, particularly in regional growth areas.