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Industry News: Crown Estate Scotland backs EMEC research and innovation programme

November 13, 2025
Industry News: Crown Estate Scotland backs EMEC research and innovation programme

Crown Estate Scotland joins forces with EMEC and West of Orkney Windfarm to support offshore wind supply chain innovation and development.

 The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) is pleased to announce Crown Estate Scotland has joined its flagship Offshore Wind Research and Innovation (R&I) Programme as a public sector sponsor.

Crown Estate Scotland’s backing enhances the programme’s capacity to de-risk offshore wind development while embedding economic value within Scottish communities.

Operated by EMEC, the world’s leading test centre for ocean energy, the Offshore Wind R&I Programme aims to accelerate innovation across the offshore wind sector by addressing key technical challenges.

The Programme supports project developers and innovators across the supply chain through targeted innovation calls searching for novel solutions that will enable offshore wind to be delivered faster, cheaper and at lower risk.

By sponsoring innovative projects, the programme aims to help the supply chain bring new solutions to market, build operational capacity and scale up activities.

Crown Estate Scotland plays a critical role in Scotland’s renewable energy transition, supporting the development of offshore wind, tidal and wave energy projects through sustainable management and leasing of the seabed to generate lasting value for the nation and future generations. The organisation is committed to engaging with industry to identify areas of mutual interest to help deliver initiatives crucial to the UK’s net-zero future.

By supporting the Offshore Wind R&I Programme, Crown Estate Scotland will play a pivotal role in accelerating innovation by gaining insight into emerging technologies, shaping future innovation calls and constructively engaging with the supply chain. This involvement will help address sector-wide challenges such as skills development, local content and environmental sustainability, while fostering collaboration and steering innovation in strategically important areas.

Lynsey Shovlin, Offshore Wind Development Manager (Enabling) for Crown Estate Scotland said:

“Innovation is essential to unlocking the full potential of Scotland’s offshore wind resources, and EMEC’s Offshore Wind R&I Programme is helping to ensure that economic and environmental benefits are delivered hand in hand. This is an excellent opportunity for us to support development of the sector and supply chain, in our role as custodians of the seabed, and aligns with our commitment to enabling a fair and sustainable transition to net zero. We’re delighted to be supporting the R&I Programme to help scale up collaborative innovation across Scotland.”

 Mark Hamilton, Operations & Technology Director at EMEC, said:

“Bringing Crown Estate Scotland on board as a sponsor of our R&I Programme is a positive step to enhance our ability to foster homegrown innovation and deliver real benefits to Scotland’s offshore wind sector and supply chain. This key collaboration will help build Scotland’s research and innovation capacity and strengthen its role in the global offshore wind industry.

“Project developers and industry leaders are invited to join the Offshore Wind R&I Programme as sponsors. By coming on board, you will help shape the future of offshore wind innovation, tackle sector-wide challenges and accelerate the delivery of sustainable solutions. Additional sponsors will broaden the programme’s remit, enabling larger-scale industry challenges to be addressed and attracting a wider pool of innovators. To find out more about sponsorship opportunities and how you can get involved, please get in touch.”

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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