A new £4.5 million initiative, the NEOWIND funding programme, has been officially launched to provide critical resources to companies across North East England. This project is specifically designed to accelerate the development and commercialisation of offshore renewable energy technologies. Funded by the North East Mayor and delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, the scheme is scheduled to operate until March 2029. The initiative intends to inject £4.5 million into the regional economy over a three-year period, specifically targeting innovative businesses located in Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle upon Tyne, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland, and County Durham. As part of its initial competitive funding call, the programme has opened applications for up to £2.1 million to support developers of new offshore wind solutions.
Strategic Support for Regional Technological Advancement
According to ORE Catapult, the NEOWIND funding programme is structured to help companies develop, de-risk, and accelerate new offshore renewable technologies while simultaneously reducing costs, risks, and time to market. In addition to providing financial support, participating innovative businesses will receive deep technical expertise from ORE Catapult. This collaborative environment offers opportunities to connect with industry end users, which is essential for bringing new innovations to commercial deployment. This access to financial support and professional guidance is intended to strengthen local firms specializing in subsea technologies and technical consultancy, ensuring the region remains at the forefront of the energy transition.
Collaborative Efforts to Meet Clean Energy Ambitions
The initiative is funded by the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, who stated that the programme aims to help local businesses bring new technologies to market, create jobs, and attract investment while ensuring that the transition to clean energy delivers benefits for communities across the region. NEOWIND is sponsored by Equinor and Morven Offshore Wind Farm, whose representatives noted that the programme will build on previous regional innovation initiatives and help accelerate the next generation of offshore wind technologies needed to support the UK’s clean energy ambitions. The competitive funding environment is further bolstered by the region’s status as a hub for the industry, supported by the Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm and the upcoming Offshore Wind Leasing Round 6 in the North Sea.
A significant concentration of companies specializing in offshore engineering, manufacturing, subsea technologies, and technical consultancy currently operates within the region. Additional partners supporting the project include the Port of Blyth, Port of Tyne, and Port of Sunderland, alongside Newcastle University, Durham University, and Northumbria University. Further support for the competitive funding landscape is provided by Business Northumberland, Business North Tyneside, and the Energi Coast Innovation Group, all of whom are working to ensure the region meets its long-term clean energy ambitions.