Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has unveiled the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme tailored exclusively for the floating wind market. This groundbreaking initiative, in collaboration with Floventis Energy, the developer behind the Llŷr 1 and 2 projects in the Celtic Sea, is set to provide invaluable support to local companies vying for opportunities in the sector.
Floventis Energy has pledged a substantial commitment of up to £180,000 to ORE Catapult's 12-18 month floating wind-specific development programme. Beyond financial backing, this partnership offers Welsh businesses unprecedented access to the Llŷr development team, aiming to optimize prospects for Welsh enterprises both in the Llŷr project and the forthcoming Celtic Sea Round 5 ventures.
This initiative, F4OR Wales, represents a pioneering step, being the first instance of the F4OR programme's adaptation exclusively for the floating wind sector. With its eyes on the future, this programme is poised to kick off in 2024, with an inaugural cohort of three companies.
Vaughan Gething, Wales' Economy Minister, underscored the importance of this endeavor, stating, “The Welsh government is determined to ensure the economy and people of Wales benefit from the huge potential the offshore wind sector offers us. Improving the awareness of Welsh firms about what is required to do business in the offshore wind sector is vitally important. We want Welsh businesses to successfully bid for contracts, helping them create the new green jobs of the future. The F4OR programme provides insight into the sector's requirements to allow them to do just that.”
Beyond financial backing, Floventis Energy will furnish participant companies in the F4OR programme with essential technical and market insights. Applications are encouraged from firms with more than ten employees and a turnover exceeding £1 million, provided they possess products or skills pertinent to the offshore wind sector. This initiative represents a pivotal stride toward fostering economic growth, job creation, and sustainable energy practices in Wales.
