Narec announces £2.8 million boost for offshore renewables supply chain in North East England

The National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) has established a £2.8 million public-private initiative to support SMEs in the North East of England to move into the rapidly developing offshore wind and marine renewable energy supply chain.  The Renewable Energy Technology Accelerator (RETA) project will launch with three new collaborations, involving companies developing innovative technologies to reduce the cost of offshore renewable energy installations.

Tony Ikwue, Innovation and Corporate Development Director at Narec, said: "Narec has created this programme to build on the strengths of local engineering companies.  Initial interest from industry has been extremely high and the projects selected will see new products being developed in the North East.  There will also be knock on benefits by way of supply contracts and knowledge transfer opportunities for SMEs looking to enter these promising but still relatively immature industries."

Over its lifetime, the project is expected to provide more than 70 regional SMEs with technical and market advisory services to assist them with developing products and services aimed at the offshore renewables industry.  The European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007- 2013, which is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, is investing £1.39 million in the project.  This funding is being matched by Narec along with five industry partners and all work will be undertaken in the North East to engage local companies.

Cllr Neil Foster, Deputy Chair of the North East England Local Management Committee (LMC), which engages key partners in the overseeing of the strategic delivery of the ERDF Programme in the North East, said:  "ERDF investment will ensure businesses receive excellent support to develop innovative new products; helping SMEs to enter the market, or enhance their position within the industry.  Businesses will have access to Narec's world class research facilities and expertise to develop their ideas and immerse themselves in the emerging supply chain.  This will have a positive impact on the North East economy."

National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec)

Narec has invested over £150 million of UK Government, private sector and European Union funding to create a unique integrated portfolio of research, testing and demonstration facilities for the offshore renewables industry, operated on an open-access, commercial basis in Blyth, Northumberland, England.

The Renewable Energy Technology Accelerator programme is focused on the offshore renewables supply chain.  It will focus on the following five areas to optimise the economic benefits for companies in North East England.

Source: Narec