Member News: Offshore renewables supply chain accelerator programme opens exclusively for ambitious North East Scotland businesses

October 31, 2024
Member News: Offshore renewables supply chain accelerator programme opens exclusively for ambitious North East Scotland businesses

One of the UK’s most successful supply chain mentoring programmes delivering tailored business support for companies targeting success in the growing offshore renewables energy sector will open exclusively to North East-Scotland based companies from today, (28 October 2024).

This is the fifth Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme to be run in the region by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, on this occasion with £150,000 in funding support from the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ Ltd). Up to 10 established companies based in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray will be selected to take part. The average programme spans 18 months and applications will remain open until Tuesday, 26 November 2024.

F4OR is a key part of ETZ Ltd’s two-phase support initiative alongside a challenge fund that will deliver capital investment grants to help North East Scotland energy supply chain companies achieve their low carbon business ambitions. ETZ Ltd has previously supported the second, third and fourth rounds of F4OR delivered to companies based in the region.

Participating companies undergo a rigorous evaluation process comprising health and safety standards, environmental sustainability practices, project management capabilities and financial stability, as well as their applicability to the renewable energy market. Companies completing previous F4OR programmes have experienced an average 28% increase in turnover with many securing new contracts.

Davood Sabaei, F4OR Programme Manager at ORE Catapult, said: “Companies in the North East with skills and expertise gained servicing the oil and gas sector are ideally suited to make the transition to the growing offshore wind sector and we would encourage companies with that pedigree to apply for this latest F4OR programme. We are also keen to see ambitious companies, keen to enter the sector, submit an application before the 26 November deadline.

“We are pleased to again partner with ETZ Ltd for the F4OR programme which has supported 75 North East Scotland companies to date. Working together, we can progress our shared ambition to support the clean energy transition, boost the local energy supply chain, and accelerate the growth in offshore renewable energy.”

The F4OR programme aligns with ETZ Ltd’s overall ambition to create a world class energy supply chain.

Freda Miller, Supply Chain Programme Manager at ETZ Ltd, said: “We look forward to continuing our partnership with ORE Catapult and are delighted to fund the next cohort of F4OR companies in the North East of Scotland.  The programme plays an important part in the energy transition initiatives that ETZ Ltd deliver, which support the low carbon journey of companies moving away from the reliance on oil and gas to achieve a balanced portfolio.” 

Aleksandra Jurczak, Head of Strategic Marketing at Maritime Developments Ltd said: “Though the F4OR programme might seem daunting on first inspection, our team has benefitted enormously from being introduced to the opportunities, potential collaborations and partnerships that can be forged, as well as the depth of specialist expertise openly shared regarding the renewables marketplace.

“Having the Energy Transition Zone on our doorstep, with its funding support and networking opportunities, provides an invaluable boost for North East businesses. Coupled with solid support from the F4OR mentoring team, including knowledge-sharing sessions and specialist modules, we feel better positioned to capitalise on these new business opportunities. I would encourage companies committed to a future in the renewables sector to consider applying for the F4OR programme – we’ve found the experience immensely rewarding.”

For more information on the programme and to submit an Expression of Interest form, please click here.

The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, 26 November 2024.

Also on linkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7256614268148531201

Photo Credit Equinor Hywind Tampen floating offshore windfarm, Photographer: Ole Jorgen Bratland

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AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

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AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables
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Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
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The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy
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Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall
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Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise