Looking back and looking forwards - ten years of Offshore Wind North East
Posted on 20 October 2025
Taking place at the Beacon Of Light next month, Offshore Wind North East 2025 – which is delivered by NOF and supported by Energi Coast – is expected to attract hundreds of delegates from across the renewables sector.
And OWNE is going to be extra special this year.
The leading national event, which explores themes and opportunities in the offshore wind sector, will be celebrating its tenth anniversary on November 5th and 6th with a vibrant conference programme and more than 100 exhibitors including developers, contractors, tech innovators and engineering specialists.
In an in-depth interview, Joanne Leng MBE, Chief Executive of NOF, reflects on OWNE’s origins, its evolution and what we can expect from the 2025 edition…
Looking back to the first event, did you expect that a decade later, Offshore Wind North East would have grown to what it is in 2025?
Who would have thought that 10 years ago as we launched Offshore Wind North East that it would become such as important addition to the industry event calendar! From humble beginnings that saw our first event attract 17 exhibitors, just over 100 delegates and nine speakers, that it would grow to the size of event it is today. What’s more, we have delegates travelling to our event from around the world, this year from as far away as Tasmania!
How has the event changed in that time? What have been the key developments?
I think the event has evolved as the industry has evolved. Despite the occasional bump in the road, the offshore wind industry is critical to supporting the clean energy plan in the UK, contributes significantly to Net Zero and above all has created a strong pipeline of supply chain opportunities for NOF members and for those involved in the North East of England’s offshore wind Cluster, Energi Coast - which is owned and operated by NOF.
When you can clearly articulate where supply chain opportunities exist both now and, in the future, and invite the developers of these projects to present, then delegates will continue to attend and support OWNE. I truly believe we have a very strong cluster in this region and OWNE brings people together at scale each year to connect, network and do business.
What have been the stand out developments for North East England’s offshore wind sector in the last decade?
The stand out moments for us include when local projects have reached FID: this provides confidence that the pipeline of work is there.
That point is illustrated by the number of supplier engagement events for Dogger Bank Wind Farm and Sofia Offshore Wind Farm that we have delivered, which have connected suppliers with opportunities and driven local content, job creation and social value to coastal communities in our region.
Our current stand out development - and this is playing out right in from of us at present - is the fact The Crown Estate has identified North East England as a priority area for future developments. Should we be successful in attracting more leasing rounds, this will be a cause for celebration as it positions North East England for the long game in offshore wind with decades of further opportunities to look forward to. These opportunities aren’t just in shallow water, but they will be in deepwater too, where we have some seriously impressive experience stemming from our days working in offshore oil & gas.
Offshore wind is central to the economic strategies of both the North East Combined Authority and the Tees Valley Combined Authority – how important is for the sector in North East England to have this level of backing?
Having the backing from both of our combined authorities is so important. Energi Coast works across the whole of the region and to have both organisations working collaboratively in this sector is critical. I do believe Energi Coast has played a pivotal role in driving the ‘one voice’ approach for the region.
‘From Coast to Coast - North East England and the Celtic Sea Collaborating for Success’ is a key theme in the OWNE conference this year. How can clusters learn from each other – and where is the potential for collaboration?
There are several offshore wind clusters through the UK in the various coastal regions. Through the Offshore Wind Industry Council these clusters meet regularly to share information, best practice and to ensure that everyone gets behind the national offshore wind strategy, the Industrial Growth Plan (IGP) for offshore wind.
Along with the Celtic Sea, North East England has been identified by The Crown Estate as a priority area for future developments. Both areas have a lot in common as they are areas for both deepwater and floating developments. It is important clusters continue to collaborate as deepwater, and floating wind are relatively new developments, and much is to be gained by learning together.
There will also be a session on deepwater offshore wind at OWNE. How do you see that opportunity progressing – and what support is needed to make it a reality?
At present we have done a lot of work with Energi Coast on positioning North East England for deepwater wind, this includes identifying the zones offshore, undertaking studies looking at foundation types based on seabed conditions, mapping the regional supply chain and building positive relationships with key stakeholders such as The Crown Estate and Renewable UK
There is, however, much to be done, to attract the investment needed. Rest assured though there are a lot of conversations going on behind the scenes to bring this opportunity to fruition. Let’s just say also, the powerhouse which is Energi Coast and all of the people and businesses behind it are fully supportive. Where you have the collective will…
North East Mayor Kim McGuiness is speaking at OWNE on cultivating a future talent pipeline – what contribution is the Energi Coast cluster making to building a workforce for offshore wind? And in your opinion, what more needs to be done?
Over the past year, the Energi Coast Skills Group has been undergoing a change, now led by Gary Potts, supported heavily by Rebecca Storey from NECA, with the ambition that it will become an established platform for training providers and academia to engage with industry. This sub group of Energi Coast is instrumental in driving the skills agenda for the cluster to ensure we have a talent pipeline going forward.
We are also incredibly proud to have supported the first multigenerational event, a unique initiative that, as far as we are aware, has never been undertaken in another industry. The events aim to showcase the scale and opportunities that the industry brings to residents of local communities, and there is engagement with those of all ages through hands on activities, supported by Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
At OWNE this year we have a side event happening on skills, the Research and Skills Showcase. This aims to facilitate valuable connections between upcoming university talent and industry.
Does more need to be done? Absolutely, a lot more - this is a big industry challenge at present.
Why should a company attend Offshore Wind North East? How will they benefit from being part of it?
Simply put, it’s the place to be if you want to do business in offshore wind. Lots of business has been generated in the past by those who have attended.
OWNE is widely recognised as a national event in a pioneering offshore wind region of the UK. It has real impact, brings the right people together at a major local event and the NOF team are looking forward to greeting attendees on November 5th and 6th 2025.
For more information on Offshore Wind North East and to book your place, visit https://www.offshorewindne.com/
