Programme Overview

The £1 million Offshore Wind Research and Innovation (R&I) Programme is searching for novel solutions to help deliver offshore wind faster, cheaper and at lower risk.

The programme is run by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and sponsored by the West of Orkney Windfarm.

The programme aims to embed economic benefits in Scotland and support companies to explore ways to overcome specific technical challenges in offshore wind development.

• Reduce time, cost and risk of offshore wind roll out in high energy environments
• Accelerate innovation, enhancing R&I capacity in Scotland
• Create jobs and help businesses grow, bringing skills, capabilities and economic benefit closer to wind farm projects

A series of innovation calls will address different challenge areas facing call sponsors, e.g. the West of Orkney Windfarm, spanning metocean, installation, logistics, and operations and maintenance.

The R&I Programme will sponsor innovative projects to help the supply chain bring new solutions to market, build operational capacity and scale up activities. Successful applicants may also get support with developing a robust project proposal, accessing alternative grant funding and access to EMEC’s world-leading test and demonstration sites.

We’re looking for innovative ideas and solutions to some of the key challenges in developing the West of Orkney Windfarm. Whilst the call is targeted at a specific windfarm’s development, it is expected that solutions bring wider benefits across the offshore wind sector, supply chain, and economy in the region.

Apply to innovation call

Become a programme sponsor