New Fit For Offshore Renewables Programme in South Wales Funded by The Crown Estate

The Crown Estate have announced that they are set to fund a dedicated regional supply chain programme, Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR). The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s F4OR programme will run for up to 18 months and aims to support the development of an increasingly competent, capable and competitive UK offshore renewable energy supply chain. 

The Crown Estate will provide ORE Catapult with £100,000 in funding to work with businesses in the Swansea Bay City Region, supporting their growth and entry into the floating offshore wind supply chain.  

This financial contribution will be matched by the Swansea Bay City Deal, which is co-funded by the Welsh and UK governments, and launched a previous F4OR scheme in the region. 

Expressions of Interest in the scheme will be able to be submitted from the end of July through the ORE Catapult website. Judging criteria for the successful businesses includes their commitment to expanding their footprint in the floating offshore wind supply chain and alignment with the ambitions set out in the Celtic Sea Blueprint. 

This announcement follows on from The Crown Estate’s news in June, where they announced the preferred bidders to take forward two new floating wind farms as part of the Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 in the Celtic Sea. 

Rebecca Williams, Director, Devolved Nations at The Crown Estate, said: 

“Having the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the individuals and collaboration involved in The Crown Estate’s work across Wales in the Senedd was fantastic, and we’re grateful to the Members who supported our event. It’s inspiring to bring together so many valued partners who are helping us to serve communities and businesses across Wales, now and into the future. 

“SMEs are a core driver of Wales’s economy. The F4OR scheme with ORE Catapult will help businesses in South Wales take advantage of the many opportunities presented by the development of a new floating offshore wind industry in the Celtic Sea. Through a thriving supply chain, we can create jobs, skills and play an important role in the clean energy transition.” 

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 

“Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver lasting economic and social value for Wales.    

“Working in partnership with the Crown Estate and others, we are determined to ensure Wales is in the best possible position to reap the rewards from the renewable energy revolution. 

“This important programme will support local companies bidding for work in the floating offshore wind industry. This will help improve the awareness of Welsh firms about what is required to do business in the offshore wind sector.” 

Andy Macdonald, Director – Development & Operations, ORE Catapult, said:

“South Wales has an enviable reputation for engineering and manufacturing excellence, coupled with huge potential to support the growth and expansion of floating offshore wind. The Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) supply chain programme provides an ideal route for companies with the right combination of key skills, expertise and leadership to make the transition to the renewable energy sector.  

“As we see the Celtic Sea becoming an increasingly important location for floating wind development, the opportunity for local innovative companies to tap into the huge economic potential is clear, and this support is specifically designed to help those companies turn potential into reality.”  

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