Renewables Opportunities at Subsea Seminar

UK subsea companies are set to be given an insight into supply chain opportunities for the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) ahead of the project going live later this summer.

Those attending the lunch and learn at The Village Hotel in Kingswells on Tuesday (June 26), will also hear how they can get involved in blue energy project, which is being coordinated by the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG).

Organized by Subsea UK, the seminar will feature presentations by Adam Ezzamel, Vattenfall’s project manager for the EOWDC and Morag McCorkindale, team leader, international trade and investment at Aberdeen City Council on behalf of AREG.

The innovative 93.2MW 11-turbine EOWDC, developed by Vattenfall-owned Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd, will trial next generation technology and once operational, boost the industry’s drive to produce competitive clean power. Supported by AREG from inception to development, and benefiting from €40 million of EU funding in 2009, the EOWDC is set for completion and first power this summer.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Vattenfall and UK offshore wind research group ORE Catapult will collaborate to allow cost reduction and safety testing at the site.

The Europe Leading Blue Energy (ELBE) project, is seeking to position Europe as the world technological and industrial leader in blue energy. AREG is calling for input from companies as it aims to draw up an international strategy for marine energy alongside organizations across Europe.

The 18-month project will be implemented by a consortium of organizations, which includes AREG, Flanders’ Maritime Cluster (Belgium), Offshoreväst (Sweden) y Offshoreenergy.dk (Denmark), under the co-ordination of the Basque Energy Cluster in Spain. It is expected that phase one will create new EU cross-border and cross-sectoral business alliances and will identify business opportunities for SMEs in the emerging global offshore wind, wave and tidal markets.

The partners also plan to deliver a strategy for European businesses to enter global markets and create an alliance with a clear focus and which is ready for internationalization.

Neil Gordon, Subsea UK chief executive said: “This is an excellent opportunity for the subsea community to hear about – as well as get involved with - two innovative projects. The EOWDC is a pioneering project for the North-east and I hope companies take the time to hear how they can get involved. Likewise, with the ELBE project where businesses can offer knowledge and expertise to help drive this EU blue energy strategy.”

For those interested in attending the event can register via the Subsea UK website.