North East England companies selected for bespoke offshore wind demonstration programme

Three innovative North East England companies have reinforced the region’s status as a key offshore wind cluster by securing places on a leading technology demonstration programme – receiving a share of £600,000, alongside invaluable support from experienced industry mentors.

The TIGGOR (Technology, Innovation and Green Growth for Offshore Renewables) programme delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult aims to accelerate the development of products, technologies and services originating in the North of Tyne region for the UK’s offshore wind supply chain.

The companies selected for the nine-month programme are:

• SeaThor, North Tyneside
• Pulcea, Blyth, Northumberland
• Kinewell, Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne

SeaThor has developed Cable Spring, a subsea dynamic cable protection system designed to mitigate cable failure in offshore wind farms. Pulcea’s acoustic barrier system, their High Performance Bubble Curtain, focuses on reducing underwater noise for marine mammals during offshore wind farm construction. Kinewell is using AI, advanced computing and mathematics to identify the best combination of floating platforms, mooring lines and anchors to build more efficient and cost-effective wind farms offshore.

Magnus Willett, Senior Project Manager in Strategy and Emerging Technologies at ORE Catapult, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome these three companies to the TIGGOR programme and we look forward to supporting them as they develop products and services that could boost growth and productivity across the North East of England and increase UK content in the offshore renewable energy supply chain.

“The programme focuses on key priorities of development for our offshore wind sector, and we are grateful to the North East Combined Authority, and industry heavyweights Equinor and EDF Renewables for making this vital opportunity possible.”

The TIGGOR programme is funded by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) as part of its commitment to supporting the region's offshore renewable energy supply chain.

Cllr Karen Clark, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside and Cabinet Member for Home to the Green Energy Revolution, said: “Supporting the TIGGOR programme is a great way to showcase the wealth of talent and ambition we have in the North East of England, and what this can bring to the rest of the UK and internationally. This region is already internationally recognised as a hub for the offshore energy sector, and we want to build on this fantastic reputation by supporting businesses that can turbo boost our clean energy ambitions.”

TIGGOR offers unique industry support to the companies selected including technical expertise provided by offshore wind developers Equinor and EDF Renewables.

Andrew Saunders, Equinor’s Prepare for Operations (PFO) Manager at Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said: “With the latest announcement of funding of the TIGGOR programme announced, we congratulate the funded companies and look forward to working with them and ORE Catapult to deliver further technology and innovation successes in the North East of England. The applicant pool was incredibly strong and whilst not everyone could be supported, we hope to see all exciting innovations come to fruition within the UK supply chain to support job creation and drive growth in making Great Britain a renewable energy superpower.”

Shiu Hui, New Technology and Innovation Manager at EDF Renewables UK and Ireland, added: "We are delighted to congratulate Kinewell, SeaThor, and Pulcea on being selected as the recipients of funding through the TIGGOR programme. These forward-thinking businesses are paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future in the offshore sector with cutting-edge AI technology, cost-saving solutions for floating wind projects, and innovative approaches to reducing noise in offshore construction. The competition for this round was exceptional, and we commend all the businesses that applied.”

Since its launch in October 2020, TIGGOR has funded 14 unique projects in the North East of England through £3.7 million of shared R&D grant funding. This has led to the creation of 33 new jobs, 22 new apprenticeships and traineeships, and the introduction of 18 new products to market from the North East supply chain.

For more information, go to https://ore.catapult.org.uk/programmes/tiggor

ENDS

Contact Information

Notes to editors

Image Credit: ORE Catapult – TIGGOR supply chain programme.

This is the third round of funding for the TIGGOR programme which started in October 2020.

For more information contact:

Pamela Bailey, PR Manager, 07591 339384, pamela.bailey@ore.catapult.org.uk

About the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult

ORE Catapult is the UK’s leading innovation centre for offshore renewable energy, established in 2013 by the UK Government as part of a network of Catapults set up by Innovate UK in high growth industries.  

Independent and trusted, with a unique combination of world leading test and demonstration facilities, engineering and research expertise, ORE Catapult convenes the sector, delivering applied research, accelerating technology development, reducing risk and cost, and enhancing UK-wide economic growth. 

ORE Catapult operates in Glasgow, Blyth, Levenmouth, Aberdeen, the Humber, the East of England, the South West, and Wales. 

https://ore.catapult.org.uk/