Businesses from across the East of England will be gathering in Lowestoft next week as leading figures from the offshore wind industry outline their investment and procurement plans for the coming years.
National industry body, RenewableUK, working with GROW:OffshoreWind and the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) will be hosting the ‘Offshore Wind: Current and Future Opportunities’ conference on 3rd April at the OrbisEnergy centre.
Companies will hear directly from wind farm operators of the Greater Gabbard and Gunfleet Sands projects, and developers of the new wind farms including Race Bank, Galloper, and Dudgeon.
Clare Daly, Offshore Wind Relations Manager at RenewableUK said: “We’re delighted to be hosting this event in one of the most active regions for offshore wind projects. This event will give companies the latest news on project developments, contract opportunities, and what’s required to be part of the supply chain.”
Dominic Brown, Head of GROW:OffshoreWind said: “This event will help companies who are potential and existing suppliers understand the opportunities in the offshore wind market at all stages of project development and operation.
“With a market forecast of £6.7bn between now and 2020, now is an important time for companies to put in place plans to capture those opportunities. We’ll also be outlining hands-on support that’s available to help existing manufacturers into the wider offshore wind supply chain.”
Simon Gray, CEO of EEEGR said: “The East of England is already a powerhouse for offshore wind and I’m thrilled to see such commitment from operators and developers to set out their plans and engaging with the supply chain in our region.
“We have more than two thirds of the UK’s offshore wind projects off our coast, and the next consented projects will push that event further”.
Johnathan Reynolds, Business Development at OrbisEnergy said: “It’s great to welcome RenewableUK and GROW:OffshoreWind back to Lowestoft for this conference. We have some significant opportunities on our doorstep covering every aspect of a windfarm’s life. From assembly and construction to long term operations and asset management.
“We’re at the heart of the UK’s offshore wind industry and it’s our role through OrbisEnergy to support the development of the region’s supply, helping businesses to innovate and grow.”
Press Release, March 26, 2014; Image: tmsmedia