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Funding boost from UKRI for Scottish offshore wind sector
A pioneering partnership between the University of Edinburgh, the University of Dundee and the Forth and Tay Offshore (FTO) cluster has been boosted by a £2.5 million innovation funding award from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The UK Government-backed body’s UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has made the award through its Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme. It will leverage the expertise of both universities and the FTO cluster to address critical challenges in offshore wind technology, fostering innovations that will drive sustainable energy solutions and further strengthen Scotland’s position as a global leader in offshore wind.
The East coast of Scotland is viewed as the ideal location from which to run the programme, as it is currently home to the majority of Scotland’s offshore wind farms which are in various stages of development. It also boasts a rich diversity of supply chain companies, from developers to SMEs supported by world-class infrastructure, with a diverse range of ports and Forth Green Freeport – now open for business – all within the region.
This funding marks a major milestone for the partnership, aligning with the UK Government’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045.
New Skills Academy to Support Renewables Sector in Angus
Montrose is to house a skills academy which will offer courses on working in renewables. The new facility will, for the first time in Angus, bridge a gap between teaching and practice, supporting jobs and economic opportunities in the area by delivering practical experience for those looking to work in Scotland’s growing offshore wind industry.
Receiving £1.25m of funding from Scottish Government’s Tay Cities Industrial Investment Programme, the Academy will provide facilities and training courses to support the growing demand from offshore wind, low carbon technology and clean growth expansion across the Tay Cities region.
Forth & Tay Offshore partners Angus Council and Montrose Port Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding along with Dundee & Angus College on Friday 8 November 2024, entering into an agreement to work together to develop the new facility within Customs House at Montrose Harbour.
Forth and Tay Offshore Newsletter - November 2024
Welcome to the November issue of our e-newsletter, where you can read about industry events and publications as well as activities that the Forth and Tay Offshore (F&TO) cluster is leading or supporting.
Montrose Port Authority Nearly Doubles Footprint with Multi-Million-Pound Expansion for Renewable Energy Growth
Montrose Port Authority (MPA) is set to embark on a major expansion with the acquisition of Montrose Commercial Park and the adjacent former Charleton Maternity Home site.
This strategic, multi-million-pound investment is a key element of MPA’s ongoing masterplanning initiative, aimed at meeting the growing demand for industrial space to support Scotland’s offshore energy sector and drive the nation’s energy transition.
MPA is exploring future development options for the site with Scottish Enterprise who recognise significance of the proposals and the transformational impact from the future growth projects.
The purchase from Equipco Investments Ltd encompasses 45 acres of prime real estate, formerly home to Petrofac’s fire safety training facility and the now-demolished Charleton House which used to function as a maternity hospital.
Applications open for Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme
Applications are now open for the national cohort of the Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme run by Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
This programme is designed to help UK businesses break into or expand their presence in the offshore wind sector by improving their readiness to tender for contracts.
A blend of fully-funded and partially-funded places will be awarded, thanks to funding support from Offshore Wind Growth Partnership, provided by Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) members.
Gain the skills and insights you need to win offshore wind contracts, become more competitive in the market and grow your business!
Applications are open until 6 November 2024.
Learn more about the programme and how to apply here.
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