The £1 million R&I programme, delivered by AIRTO member EMEC and sponsored by the West of Orkney Windfarm, is designed to find innovative solutions that could deliver offshore wind faster, cheaper and at lower risk.
The programme’s inaugural innovation call attracted 29 applications from supply chain companies. Proposals offered innovative solutions addressing two specific challenge areas identified and prioritised by the programme: understanding metocean conditions at and en route to the West of Orkney Windfarm site; and design for short weather window installations.
Eight companies progressed to stage two of the first call, submitting detailed project proposals for review, after which finalists were invited to pitch their solutions to EMEC and the West of Orkney Windfarm team.
Funding has been awarded to TRIOS Renewables and Seaview Sensing for the metocean challenge, whilst Next Ocean will address short weather windows.
