The developers who helped create the programme are progressing four Scottish offshore wind projects: MachairWind (ScottishPower Renewables), Spiorad na Mara (Northland Power and ESB), Stoura (ESB) and Arven (Ocean Winds).
The F4OR Island programme builds on ORE Catapult’s wider Fit for Offshore Renewables programme established in 2019 for businesses looking to break into the offshore sector, scale up an existing presence in the industry, or make the transition to renewables from the oil and gas sector and similar industries.
The new programme has been tailored to better fit the business demographics of Scottish island and coastal-based businesses, with changes to the entry requirements to make it more accessible and plans to deliver more support at the winning businesses’ operational locations to reduce the need for travel, ORE Catapult says.
Up to ten companies will be selected to join the F4OR Island programme, which will offer fully funded, expert support to help eligible companies succeed in the offshore wind industry, both at home and abroad.
“Scotland’s islands have a proud history of technology innovation and engineering prowess coupled with an enviable depth of specialist expertise gained servicing the oil and gas sector. They are therefore ideally equipped to make the transition to the growing offshore wind sector and we would encourage companies developing innovative technology solutions to apply for this latest programme”, said Andy Macdonald, Director – Development & Operations at ORE Catapult.
“This opportunity has been in collaboration with our industry partners, ScottishPower Renewables (SPR), Ocean Winds, Northland Power and ESB who share our ambitions to support the clean energy transition, help accelerate the growth in offshore renewable energy and progress the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
