Five innovative companies in the North East are set to fast-track new technology in offshore renewable energy, thanks to £1.2m of funding from North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA).
Kinewell Energy, Pulcea Ltd, Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD), Walker Subsea and Acuity Robotics will all take part in a year-long programme known as TIGGOR, managed by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.
The companies will be supported to work on five individual projects and develop and test new products and technology in renewable energy solutions, which could be sold to offshore wind and subsea sectors all over the world.
The programme generated an estimated £4.4m for the UK economy during the first phase and is predicted to continue to boost supply chain growth, encourage new companies to enter the market and create 118 jobs over the next five years.
The project kicked off at a launch event at ORE Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth today, where the successful companies presented their technology to offshore wind industry giants and TIGGOR’s commercial partners, Equinor and EDF Renewables.
Pictured Left to Right: Jason Liu, Aquity Robotics; Vahid Walker, Walker Subsea; Andrew Jenkins, Kinewell Energy; Henna Bains, Kinewell Energy; Ian Armstrong, Pulsea; Jamie Driscoll, NTCA Mayor; Tom Nightingale, Equinor; Ravneet Kaur, ORE Catapult; Andrew Ambrose-Thurman; Stephen Wyatt, ORE Catapult
Speaking at the TIGGOR launch event, North of Tyne Mayor, Jamie Driscoll, said:
“How can we give people energy security, push bills down and keep homes warm? As Bob Dylan once said, the answer is blowin’ in the wind.
“With our engineering heritage and North Sea coastline, we are leading the revolution in offshore renewable energy. Our investment will support some of the world’s leading innovators in subsea robots and green technology. This will help create well-paid jobs and boost the supply chain.
“Cheaper bills, thriving industries and more jobs – this is the Green New Deal in action.”
Cllr Richard Wearmouth, NTCA portfolio holder for Clean Energy and Connectivity, said:
“We’re delighted to see this part of Northumberland cementing its reputation at the cutting edge of renewable technology.
“The TIGGOR programme has already created scores of new jobs and traineeships and supported nearly 50 businesses. We wish the latest companies to benefit every success and look forward to watching their progress.”
Magnus Willett, Programme Manager for the TIGGOR programme at ORE Catapult, said:
“The TIGGOR programme will support companies within the North of Tyne area to de-risk and accelerate their technology and boost the local offshore renewable energy supply chain. Crucially it provides an opportunity for these businesses to demonstrate their technology to our commercial partners, Equinor and EDF Renewables, receive business support designed specifically for the offshore renewables market, and encourage academic engagement – increasing their chances of success in this multi-billion-pound industry.”
Over the course of the programme, Equinor and EDF Renewables will also provide technology assessment and advice on how technologies can be applied to offshore wind. ORE Catapult will also offer business support and access to test and demonstration facilities at its National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth.
To find out more about the organisation’s taking part in TIGGOR visit: Catapult’s website https://ore.catapult.org.uk/press-releases/north-of-tyne-technology-companies-to-receive-turbo-boost-into-offshore-renewables/