£1m funding opportunity to back innovative offshore wind technologies

The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has launched a £1 million Innovation Funding competition to accelerate innovation in two critical areas of the UK offshore wind supply chain:

• Industrial Foundations and Substructures
• Substations and Electrical Design

The programme offers UK-based suppliers the chance to secure £25,000 to £200,000 per project to support near-to-market or market-ready solutions. Companies already active in offshore wind and those seeking to diversify into the sector are eligible to apply.

This competition is supported by OWGP’s Industry Champions, Equinor and SSE Renewables, who have expressed strong interest in the selected innovation themes. These themes build on industry insight and align with priorities identified in the Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan (IGP), highlighting areas where innovation can strengthen UK capability and supply chain competitiveness.

Tom Nightingale, Equinor Local Supply Chain Manager, said:

"Equinor is proud to support OWGP’s Innovation Funding programme, which plays a vital role in creating a robust and technologically advanced UK offshore wind supply chain.

“The latest funding call is key to driving forward the Industrial Growth Plan (IGP) looking to strengthen UK competitiveness in the global market.”

Tom Speedie, Project Manager at the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership commented;

“Industrial opportunity in the UK offshore wind sector has never been greater.

“The recent results of Allocation Round 7 have added 8.4GW to the pipeline, driving increased demand across the supply chain. As developers push ahead at pace, suppliers must be ready to capitalise on the opportunities ahead.

“Our Innovation Funding programme backs disruptive technologies that will ensure the UK can compete in the global marketplace and contribute to the UK’s long-term industrial success.”

This programme is part of a wider effort by OWGP to develop a globally competitive UK offshore wind supply chain, create thousands of skilled jobs and generate billions in economic value over the next decade through targeted supply chain investment.

The closing date to submit an application to the programme is Friday 20th March at 17:00.

Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis toward projects capable of delivering strong, measurable outcomes for the supply chain.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit https://owgp.org.uk/programme/innovation-grants/

Source Link: https://energicoast.co.uk/news...