Offshore wind developer RWE Renewables has joined the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s new Circular Economy for the Wind Sector joint industry programme (CEWS JIP).
RWE, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, is supporting the JIP over three years as it aligns with the organisation’s ambitions to be carbon-neutral by 2040. The programme aims to lead the way in embedding a circular economy approach at the heart of the offshore wind sector as it strives to achieve Net Zero: creating a zero-carbon, zero-waste economy for materials and manufacturing.
CEWS will bring together industry, academia, research and development organisations, and government agencies to tackle the critical challenges identified in achieving zero waste, including decommissioning costs, recycling, end-of-life and repowering strategies.
The JIP’s mission is to agree on industry-led best practice and standards in all these areas to better inform decision-makers; and works alongside an advisory board including the Crown Estate, the Environment Agency, Ofgem, the National Composites Centre, the Net Zero Technology Centre and Zero Waste Scotland. The JIP will also support the supply chain to develop, demonstrate or validate innovative carbon reduction solutions in the wind sector, such as composite recycling.
Sven Utermöhlen Chief Operating Officer (COO) Wind Offshore Global of RWE Renewables commented:“As a global market leader in offshore wind RWE is committed to expanding its UK offshore portfolio in support of decarbonising industry and as a green energy supplier for the future production of green hydrogen. RWE has clear carbon reduction targets, and so recognise the importance of being a front runner in this joint industry project.”
Andy Martin, ORE Catapult’s Business Development Lead, added: “The UK’s offshore wind industry is set to play a vital role in tackling climate change and contributing to achieving Net-Zero. Our industry forged the green energy revolution in the crucible of engineering innovation and ambitious visions for a more sustainable energy supply. It now has the opportunity to lead the way in creating a zero-waste economy for materials and manufacturing, too, with all of the associated supply chain opportunities that will bring, which is vital to our vision of a prosperous, clean, green energy future. We hope that our joint industry programme will be key in helping to achieve this vision, and we’d welcome interest from other organisations who’d like to join us in this journey.”
To find out more about CEWS, and how you can get involved, visit https://ore.catapult.org.uk/CEWS
About the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
ORE Catapult was established in 2013 by the UK Government and is part of a network of Catapults set up by Innovate UK in high growth industries. It is the UK’s leading innovation centre for offshore renewable energy.
Independent and trusted, with a unique combination of world-leading test and demonstration facilities and engineering and research expertise, ORE Catapult convenes the sector and delivers applied research, accelerating technology development, reducing risk and cost and enhancing UK-wide economic growth.
Active throughout the UK, ORE Catapult has operations in Glasgow, Blyth, Levenmouth, Aberdeen, the Humber, the East of England, the South West and Wales and operates a collaborative research partnership in China.
