SOWEC

We want to put faces to the names behind the SOWEC team, so over the next few months we'll be introducing you to the key members who make up SOWEC. First up, meet Ben Miller, development manager (offshore wind enabling) at Crown Estate Scotland. With a passion for driving Scotland’s offshore wind sector forward, Ben plays a pivotal role in supporting our mission to maximise the social and environmental benefits of offshore wind for Scotland. #MeetTheTeam #RenewableEnergy #NetZero

Last night brought two wins for the SOWEC team at the Scottish Renewables Green Energy Awards 2024! Our Strategic Investment Model (SIM) won the Industry Challenger Award, sponsored by Natural Power. Gillian Morrison, development manager – supply chain at Crown Estate Scotland and chair of our SIM working group along with members of the SIM PMO collected the award. The Collaboration for Environment Mitigation & Nature Inclusive Design (CEMNID) project took home the Sustainable Development Award, sponsored by Hitachi Energy. Supported by SOWEC, the CEMNID project was a collaboration between offshore wind developers and Scottish regulators, funded by Crown Estate Scotland. Duncan Smart from ScottishPower Renewables collected the award on partners' behalf. We want to extend a massive thank you to Scottish Renewables for an amazing night and congratulations to all the other winners. #GEA24 #IndustryChallenger #OffshoreWind 

Yesterday’s Scottish Budget 2025-2026 confirmed a further £150 million investment in Scotland’s offshore wind sector, including £25 million to support the energy transition, demonstrating Scotland’s commitment to becoming a global leader in green energy. Brian McFarlane, SOWEC’s industry co-chair, highlights how this funding will accelerate the growth of Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain, ensuring we have the skills and infrastructure to deliver projects at speed. #SOWEC #ScottishBudget #RenewableEnergy

SOWEC is committed to establishing Scotland as a world-class offshore wind sector at the forefront of innovation and new technology. By focusing on excellence in efficiency, productivity, safety, and sustainability, we’re driving progress in the global energy transition. #OffshoreWind #NetZero #RenewableEnergy

SOWEC welcomes Mark Baxter and Stewart McKinlay as the new chairs of the Developer Forum and Skills Subgroup, respectively. Mark is currently project director at OW Ocean Winds UK, overseeing the developer’s ScotWind site, Caledonia, and Stewart is the skills director at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland , the trusted innovation and skills partner of the manufacturing industry. Their expertise will help us drive progress in Scotland’s offshore wind sector, ensuring the delivery of key programmes and advancing our shared goals for a sustainable, innovative, and globally competitive industry. Learn more about their roles on our website: https://loom.ly/p3704Cc #OffshoreWind #RenewableEnergy

The Floating Wind Task Force report, 'Anchoring the Next Generation Offshore' champions floating offshore wind as potentially the biggest industry success of the century. SOWEC welcomes the report marking the UK as a global player in the floating offshore wind industry and agrees with the fundamental importance of investing in supply chain infrastructure. Visit our website to read the full report and explore how floating wind will shape a sustainable, net zero future: https://loom.ly/MyCn7-o #SOWEC #RenewableEnergy #NetZero

SOWEC recently announced the appointment of Lloyd Duthie as the new head of our Supply Chain and Clusters Sub-group. This sub-group plays a key role in driving economies of scale, productivity, competitiveness, innovation, and export capability. A thriving cluster in Scotland is vital to the growth of the offshore wind sector. Want to learn more about Lloyd's appointment and his vision for Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain? Visit our blog: https://loom.ly/sS2E7t8 #SOWEC #RenewableEnergy #OffshoreWind

📣 New fund alert. Are you developing an innovative technology solution that could address challenges in Scotland's fast-growing offshore wind sector? If so, you could be eligible for grant funding to assess the feasibility of your project. The ScotlandCAN DO Offshore Wind Innovation Feasibility Challenge Call offers grant funding of between £30,000 and £50,000. This grant will support you to conduct new detailed design, technical, and/or commercial feasibility assessment for relevant products and services, over a period of three to four months. The costs of offshore wind need to be reduced, and this requires innovation. So specifically, we are looking to address technology challenges across the following key areas: 🛠️ Installation 👷♂️ Operations and maintenance (O&M) ⚡️ Electrical infrastructure ⚓ Anchors 🔗 Mooring lines ⬇️ Substructures 🔄 Blades ⬆️ Towers 🗓️ The application deadline is 12pm, 10 January 2025. For full eligibility criteria and to apply, visit our website 👉 https://ow.ly/2yO850U8Q1x #OffshoreWind #Innovation

SOWEC's mission is to coordinate and grow the sector, making the Scottish offshore wind industry more sustainable, competitive, and commercially attractive, both locally and globally. One of our key goals is to drive a transformational and rapid increase in economic value, creating a world-class supply chain in Scotland that supports the transition to net zero. Together, we’re building a cleaner, greener future for all. #SOWEC #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy

SOWEC welcomes its central role as a vital platform for engagement between industry and public sector. Collaboration from industry partners is helping to grow Scotland’s supply chain, prioritise investments and speed up the delivery of offshore wind projects. Want to learn more? Head over to our website to explore how Scotland is leading the charge toward a greener tomorrow: https://loom.ly/RDXgM1M #RenewableEnergy #NetZero #Sustainability