Humber to host UK centre of excellence for offshore wind operations

A new £2 million collaboration between the University of Hull  and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult will see the launch of an offshore wind Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Centre of Excellence in the Humber region. 

The five-year partnership will see a series of research and innovation projects developed to improve the way that offshore wind farms are operated and maintained, building on the region’s energy heritage, location and experience of servicing UK offshore wind farms.

The Centre will be based at the University with our researchers working alongside the catapult’s innovation team. Its first task will be to engage with industry and the supply chain to develop a series of feasibility studies and define a roadmap for O&M research and development.

Dr David Richards, Pro vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise for the University of Hull, said: "This collaboration between the University and ORE Catapult is a step change for the Energy Estuary and the UK’s offshore wind industry as a whole.

“Research and innovation in operations and maintenance is essential to maintaining the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore wind and this new Centre of Excellence will by key to establishing an anchor for the industry as a whole."

Chris Hill, ORE Catapult’s Operational Performance Director, said: "Operations and maintenance activities make up almost a quarter of the lifetime costs of an offshore wind farm, and provide a huge opportunity for UK companies to supply their products and services.

“The East Coast, and particularly the Humber Estuary, has extensive experience of servicing offshore wind farms and that experience is invaluable as we look to build expertise and a local supply chain, establishing the region as a real centre of excellence that can service UK offshore wind farms as well exporting to the fast growing international market."

Mark O’Reilly, Chief Executive and Chairman of Team Humber Marine Alliance, said: "We have long championed a specialist UK O&M centre for the Humber and are absolutely delighted with the ORE Catapult and the University of Hull’s partnership.

“This initiative will build on our growing expertise and further establish the Humber region as an offshore wind centre of excellence."