Major offshore wind conference to attract hundreds of delegates and exhibitors to North East England

Posted on 25 October 2022

Major offshore wind conference to attract hundreds of delegates and exhibitors to North East England

NOF, the UK business development organisation for the energy sector, has once again partnered with Energi Coast, to host its annual offshore wind conference and exhibition in North East England.

Offshore Wind North East (OWNE), which takes place on November 9 and 10 at the Beacon of Light in Sunderland, is expected to attract more than 130 exhibitors and in excess of 800 delegates.

This national event, being held in a pioneering offshore wind region of the UK, is being organised by NOF in partnership with North East England’s Offshore Wind Cluster, Energi Coast.

It will explore themes and opportunities in the offshore wind sector with a high calibre line-up of leading speakers giving an insight and update on future activity within the sector.

Key areas that will be explored include UK and global projects, supply chain and procurement opportunities, innovation, skills, floating offshore wind and logistics and infrastructure.

The spotlight will also be on high-profile projects such as Sofia Offshore Wind Farm and Dogger Bank Wind Farm and there also will be insightful contributions from senior representatives from leading companies in the sector and from government departments including the Department for International Trade and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Presentations and discussions will focus on topics such as developers’ perspective on future supply chain needs, routes to market through innovation, the North East’s leading role in offshore wind, clean energy growth, the journey to net zero and tackling future skills needs and shortages.

Among the presenters across the extensive two-day programme are ScottishPower Renewables, Ørsted and bp/EnBW.

OWNE will provide a platform for the 130-plus exhibitors to showcase their services and products. There also will be substantial opportunities for delegates and speakers to network and exchange knowledge and ideas.

Strategic Event Partners for OWNE include, Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, Van Oord and Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm. The Regional Event Partners are Invest North East England and Teesside Freeport. The Diamond Sponsor is Energy Central and Platinum Sponsors are 3t Transform and MJR Power & Automation.

Joanne Leng MBE, Chief Executive of NOF, the UK business development organisation for the energy sector, said: “Offshore Wind North East has become firmly established as a leading conference and exhibition for delegates from both the UK and internationally to gain insightful industry intelligence, exchange ideas and experiences, build relationships and promote collaboration and co-operation within the sector.

“Offshore Wind will play an integral part in the journey towards achieving net zero goals but as importantly our ambitions for energy security.”

Tony Quinn, who chairs Energi Coast and is Test and Validation Director of Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, said: “Our mission is to enable offshore wind industry suppliers, operators, experts and influencers to impart their knowledge and knowhow.

“Offshore wind has a key part to play in renewables energy ambitions not just in the UK, but across the world, and Offshore Wind North East will help put attendees in pole position to take advantage of emerging business openings.”

Dogger Bank Wind Farm Commercial Director Simon Bailey said: “Offshore Wind North East is a great place to connect with both existing and new supply chain companies, and we look forward to being back in Sunderland for this year’s flagship industry event celebrating another successful year for our industry in the North East of England. This year we’ll be welcoming more of our operations colleagues to the event as we make great progress in construction and start to look forward to first power in 2023.”

RWE’s Matthew Swanwick, Sofia Project Director said: “RWE and Sofia see Offshore Wind North East as a key event in our annual calendar as it gives us the opportunity to meet with, not only our suppliers, but a wide cross-section of companies from across the North East supply chain to find out about their innovations and update them on our construction progress. It brings together people from across the sector and provides a unique platform to network and learn from others, and importantly to support the local supply chain.”

Richard Copeland, Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm Project Director, said: “We’re delighted to be strategic partners of Offshore Wind North East this year, where we will be exhibiting and holding 1-2-1 supply chain meetings. Building a strong floating wind supply chain in the UK is really important to us. We look forward to meeting as many companies as possible to share the opportunities the project will create for local supply chains and communities.

“I’m also looking forward to joining a panel on 10 November alongside EDF Renewables, Equinor, JDR Cable Systems and Principle Power to discuss the opportunities floating offshore wind offers to the North East of England in particular.”

Roy van Loveren, Area Manager, said: “Van Oord is delighted to be supporting the OWNE 2022 event as a Strategic Event Partner. With our marine ingenuity, we are a market leading marine contractor firmly rooted in the North East and are looking forward to engaging with local supply chain companies to enhance our contribution to the energy transition and the booming offshore wind market.”

Guy Currey, Director, Invest North East England (INEE), said: “Invest North East England is delighted to once again be a regional partner for Offshore Wind North East 2022. The conference is a fantastic opportunity to fly the flag for North East England, and showcase the amazing companies and innovation assets we have right here in our region. Offshore Wind is helping to power the UK's Green Revolution and the North East is increasingly being seen as a green industry world leader.

“Our region has long been proud of its ability to adapt and grow. Our heritage in coal, oil and gas and shipbuilding has led to an unmatched legacy of superb engineering expertise, re-purposed development sites, and world-leading supply chains. This is bolstered by our fantastic geographical location, with Dogger Bank, the world's largest wind farm right on our doorstep. It is easy to see why so many offshore wind companies flourish in the region.”

Nolan Gray, Tees Valley Combined Authority Group’s Freeport Director, said: “The offshore sector represents a huge opportunity for our region, its businesses, and our Teesside Freeport – the UK’s biggest and first operational. Thanks to Offshore Wind North East, we’ll be able to get the message out to these innovative firms about the benefits of being based at a Freeport and show how we can play a crucial part in the industry.

“Over at Teesworks, the heart of the Freeport, work on SeAH Wind’s mammoth monopile manufacturing facility is well under way, as is the construction of our £107million heavy-lift quay. These developments are helping to position our area and the Freeport as the premier location for offshore wind.”