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Offshore wind supply chain programme launches in South Wales

Published in: Wind, Press Releases

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Businesses in the Swansea region looking for success in the floating offshore wind market can now apply to take part in an award-winning industry supply chain programme launched by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.

A minimum of 10 companies will be selected to take part in the 12-18 month Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme from ORE Catapult, open to companies offering products or services to support the floating offshore wind supply chain. Planned investment in floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea is presenting new opportunities for companies with products, services, or technology that could support the industry.

To date, 13 Welsh business have taken part in F4OR, with three gaining coveted ‘granted status’ so far. This third Welsh F4OR programme has been created alongside industry experts, delivered exclusively for businesses in the Swansea region, and equally funded by The Crown Estate and the Swansea Bay City Deal – a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council and Neath Port Talbot Council.

Dr Davood Sabaei, F4OR Project Manager at ORE Catapult, said: “We are excited to partner with The Crown Estate and the Swansea Bay City Deal to offer talented, ambitious Welsh companies this chance to become part of the UK’s world-class supply chain.

“The UK’s offshore wind sector is experiencing substantial growth as we focus our efforts on meeting the Government’s ambitious targets for sustainable production and delivery of clean renewable energy. This has created immense opportunity for UK supply chain companies and the F4OR programme has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of the floating offshore wind sector. F4OR Wales will ensure that companies joining this programme will benefit from expert offshore wind consultancy support, helping them bid for and win contracts in the UK and internationally.”

The Celtic Sea is expected to play a key role in the UK’s journey to net zero, with up to 4.5GW of floating wind set to be delivered through The Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5. This round could support the creation of 5,300 new jobs and deliver a £1.4 billion boost to the UK economy.

Rebecca Williams, Director of Devolved Nations at The Crown Estate, said: “We’re pleased to support ORE Catapult’s F4OR programme which will help businesses in South Wales take advantage of the many opportunities presented by the development of a new floating offshore wind industry in the Celtic Sea. Through a thriving supply chain, we can create jobs and skills within communities and play an important role in the clean energy transition.” 

Jane Lewis, Regional Learning and Skills Partnership Manager at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “It is great to be able to support businesses across the region through the Swansea Bay City Deal Skills and Talent programme to take part in the Fit for Offshore Renewables programme. This will enhance opportunities for companies in South West Wales to be involved in the Celtic Sea offshore wind programme and bring jobs and economic growth to the region.”

The F4OR programme has supported more than 170 companies UK-wide over the last five years. On average, they have experienced an increase in turnover of 26% and many have become market-leading suppliers for the offshore wind sector.

For more information on the F4OR programme and/or submit an Expression of Interest, please click here.  The deadline for submissions is Friday, 29 August 2025.

Contact Information

Media Team
media@ore.catapult.org.uk

About the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult

For more information on the F4OR programme, click here

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/

About The Crown Estate

The Crown Estate has a diverse £15bn portfolio that includes urban centres and development opportunities; one of the largest rural holdings in the country; Regent Street and St James’s in London’s West End; and Windsor Great Park. They also manage the seabed and much of the coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, playing a major role in the UK’s world leading offshore wind sector.

They are a unique business established by an Act of Parliament, tasked with growing the value of the portfolio for the nation and returning all net profit to HM Treasury for the benefit of public spending. This has totalled £5bn over the last ten years.

Through their activities and investments, The Crown Estate creates environmental, social and financial value both for now and into the long term.

About the Swansea Bay City Deal

The projects and programmes within the Swansea Bay City Deal are aligned to four themes which will help tackle structural challenges and reduce the economic performance gap between the Swansea Bay City Region and the rest of the UK. These themes are: 

  • Economic Acceleration
  • Life Science & Well-Being
  • Energy and Smart Manufacturing
  • Skills and Training

The thematic areas have potential for growth and are aligned to creating high technology and higher value jobs through start-up companies and the attraction of inward investment from larger businesses. 

They are also areas of focus where the region has begun to build foundations to advance through research and development, infrastructure, natural resources, skills and complementary investments.

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