Wednesday 20 September 2023

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has launched the first Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme in Wales – specifically designed to support local companies bidding for work in the floating offshore wind industry.

ORE Catapult is partnering with Floventis Energy, the developer of Llŷr 1 and 2 in the Celtic Sea, to deliver ‘F4OR Wales’ that will give Welsh businesses the skills and expertise to deliver success in this rapidly growing sector.

Floventis Energy has committed up to £180,000 to ORE Catapult’s 12-18 month floating wind specific development programme along with unique access to the Llŷr development team, aimed at maximising the opportunities for Welsh companies in Llŷr and the forthcoming Celtic Sea Round 5 projects. F4OR Wales will mark the first time that the F4OR programme has been tailored exclusively for the floating wind market.

Wales’ Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “The Welsh Government is determined to ensure the economy and people of Wales benefit from the huge potential the offshore wind sector offers us. Improving the awareness of Welsh firms about what us required to do business in the offshore wind sector is vitally important. We want Welsh businesses to successfully bid for contracts, helping them create the new green jobs of the future. The F4OR programme provides insight into the sector’s requirements to allow them to do just that.”

F4OR Wales will be delivered in phases starting in 2024, with an initial cohort of three companies. The programme was designed alongside industry experts, and it has experienced widespread success across the UK since it started in 2019. To date, five F4OR regional programmes have been delivered in the North East of Scotland, North East of England, East Anglia and Suffolk, alongside national programmes run across Scotland and UK-wide. Over 100 companies have been supported, with participants experiencing an average 28% increase in turnover and many securing a wide range of new contracts.