Companies developing innovations for offshore renewables can find out how to access a £6m grant fund at a free event at Lowestoft next week.
Grants of up to £50,000 are available from the SCORE programme for the development of technologies, inventions, processes and systems that bring down the cost of offshore wind, wave and tidal power.
Successful applicants will also receive support from enterprise specialists Nwes and energy industry experts at Nautilus Associates as well as technical support from Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult,) leading renewable technology experts with world-class testing laboratories and facilities.
Information about how to apply and case studies of previous grant winners whose products and inventions are now on the market and in use in the industry will be available at the Business Surgery on Wednesday October 13th at OrbisEnergy between 4pm and 6pm.
Johnathan Reynolds, of Nautilus Associates, will outline criteria for SME applicants and the application process at the session organised by enterprise experts Nwes.
“There is so much scope for companies developing new products, processes and ideas – from patenting a product to exploring concepts that offer new ways of solving problems in offshore renewable energy – to access grants from the programme, which is more than double the amount of the previous programme and is aimed at helping more than 200 businesses and creating 200 jobs.”
“We have had far more early applications in this programme than the previous one. The first grant panels have met and we are about to announce the first recipients and their first award.”
“As well as financial support, companies will be put in touch with engineers, researchers and specialists in business growth, technology acceleration and product commercialisation from SCORE partners at Nwes, Nautilus Associates and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
Scour Prevention Systems, based at OrbisEnergy, used a SCORE grant from the first programme to take its seabed solution for cable and monopile scour, using mats made of end-of-life tyres, to the next phase of development.
Last month it was one of 10 companies chosen to present technology that has the potential to help companies achieve the 35% decommissioning cost reduction targeted by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) at Decom North Sea’s Decommissioning: Technology Innovation Platform event in Scotland.
Its patented scour prevention mats, a previous winner of the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) Innovation Award, have been used in the offshore wind industry and are now also being targeted at oil and gas.
At next week’s event, the first of a series across Norfolk and Suffolk offering free business advice, will be accountants, solicitors, bankers and business advisors offering one-to-one mini consultations.
Professionals from Lovewell Blake, Nicholsons Solicitors and Santander will offer advice along with SCORE business advisor Ian Bird.
Glen Moore, Growth Hub Advisor, will also outline how to access New Anglia Micro Grant Scheme of between £1,000 and £10,000
Spaces are limited – book your free place today by calling 0845 6099 991 or email the team at info@nwes.org.uk
SCORE is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is open to companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than 50 million euros. Grants are available for up to 40% of eligible costs or £50,000, whichever is the lower, with a minimum grant of £2,500. Start-up and established companies in the four counties can apply.
The funding is designed to help companies in a wide range of areas, including research and development, collaboration with universities and research bodies, securing patents, acquiring specialist equipment or services and investigating the commercial viability of processes and technologies.
More information is available on 01502 563368 or score@orbisenergy.co.uk.
Case studies showcasing companies who benefited from the previous £2.5million SCORE programme can be seen at www.scoregrants.co.uk
The current programme is delivered by enterprise experts Nwes at OrbisEnergy in partnership with energy industry experts Nautilus Associates and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
