Eight North East England Firms Join Offshore Wind Innovation Programme
Regional companies receive funding to advance offshore renewable energy technologies through NEOWIND.
1NEOWIND Programme Launch
Eight companies from North East England have been selected for the inaugural NEOWIND programme cohort. This initiative provides a share of 1.87 million GBP to accelerate offshore renewable energy technologies. The programme, delivered by ORE Catapult and funded by Mayor Kim McGuinness, will run from November 2026 until July 2028.
2Selected Regional Participants
The cohort includes Succorfish, TRL 9 Ltd, Kinewell, SeaThor, H2CHP Ltd, Spirit Advisory, Acuity Robotics, and Sensing 360. These businesses are based across Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, and Northumberland. They represent a diverse group focused on solving critical infrastructure and material challenges within the growing offshore wind energy sector.
3Blade Recycling Innovation
TRL 9 Ltd is developing Cyclonox, a process designed to treat end-of-life wind turbine blades. The project aims to identify which materials can be recovered for reuse while generating energy. This technology addresses the environmental challenge of decommissioning turbine components, seeking a commercially viable method to manage waste in the industry.
4Robotic Inspection Systems
Acuity Robotics is utilizing the grant to create an advanced robotic inspection system for turbine towers and offshore structures. By automating these tasks, the company intends to improve safety and efficiency, significantly reducing the need for personnel to work in hazardous offshore environments. Testing will occur in the town of Blyth.
5Broader Financial Framework
The total budget for the NEOWIND programme is 4.5 million GBP over a three-year period. This funding supports businesses across Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle upon Tyne, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland, and County Durham. Beyond direct grants, participants receive technical and business support from the ORE Catapult organization to scale their operations.
6Strategic Industry Support
NEOWIND is sponsored by Equinor and the Morven Offshore Wind Farm project. It builds upon six years of supply chain support previously delivered through the TIGGOR programme. The initiative integrates regional ports, universities, and various business organizations to create a cohesive ecosystem for offshore wind development in the North East region.
7Operational Impact Goals
The programme aims to strengthen the regional supply chain by fostering innovation in subsea and offshore wind sectors. By providing both financial capital and technical expertise, the initiative helps local firms overcome barriers to commercialization. This structured support is expected to enhance the competitiveness of North East England in global markets.
8Future Industry Outlook
As the offshore wind sector expands, the focus on sustainable decommissioning and automated maintenance becomes increasingly vital. The success of these eight companies will likely influence future regional energy strategies. Stakeholders are looking toward the 2028 conclusion of the programme to measure the long-term economic and technological impact on the sector.