£1m offshore wind competition launched

The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has launched a new innovation grant funding competition to tackle offshore wind supply chain priorities. 

The competition will see £1m awarded to successful supply chain companies to develop new products and services for the offshore wind sector.

The OWGP Innovation Grant will be supported by offshore wind industry champions Ocean Winds and ScottishPower Renewables who have expressed an interest in the innovation themes.

Innovation Grants between £25k to £200k are available for projects that focus on future cables, electrical systems, next-generation installation and operations and maintenance technologies. 

Grants will be available to UK companies which are already active in the offshore wind supply chain or seeking to diversify into the sector. 

They will be awarded on a competitive basis, with successful proposals demonstrating near-to-market or market ready solutions and a clear ambition for growth in the sector.  

Eligible applicants can request up to £200k in a single grant application to cover up to 50% of the total project budget.

Daniel Santa Cruz Prego de Oliver, innovation and entrepreneurship director at Ocean Winds, said: “Ocean Winds is thrilled to support again this initiative for progress in the growing offshore wind sector. 

“Now more than ever, as we stand at the heart of the construction phase of 2 GW of offshore wind in the UK and in France, innovation propels Ocean Winds to secure efficiency and safety in our journey to generating clean energy from offshore wind. 

“This presents an excellent opportunity for us to champion innovation across the sector.”

Click here for more information on the innovation grants and how to apply. 

OWGP will be hosting a webinar to explain the application process on Thursday, May 9. Click here for details.