RWE, one of the world’s leading renewable energy developers in offshore wind, hosted over 200 companies at an East Coast Offshore Wind Supplier Engagement Day at the Grimsby Auditorium on 18 September 2024. The event, part of RWE’s Supplier Transparency & Engagement Programme (STEP), was held to facilitate a deeper understanding of regional supplier capabilities and to enable RWE and a selection of its tier one suppliers, to work ever closer with the UK supplier network.
RWE is the UK’s leading power generator and a key partner in delivering the UK Government’s ambition of clean power by 2030, the projects being developed, constructed and operated off the east coast of England will make a significant contribution to this ambition. However, these and other projects across the UK are reliant on the availability of a strong, capable and extensive supply chain.
“We recognise that companies involved in the offshore wind supply chain are the backbone of our success,” said Corrine Barry, RWE UK East Coast Director for Net Zero. “By being transparent about what goods and services we and our tier one suppliers need, openly discussing challenges and opportunities, and gaining insights into business capabilities, we can pave the way to further UK supplier success. Opportunities for UK businesses are extensive and maximising awareness of these is key.
It has been fantastic to engage with the number and range of companies at today’s event. RWE’s STEP Initiative offers an ongoing channel of engagement and support to those businesses interested in working in the offshore wind sector. As part of the event, we launched ‘O&M STEP’ specifically targeted at operation and maintenance suppliers, and we look forward to engaging with even more companies in future.”
RWE owns, operates and is developing in total 13 offshore wind projects off the northeast and east coast of England at various stages. The East Coast STEP event highlighted four of these projects - the two DBS (Dogger Bank South) projects currently in development, the Sofia offshore wind farm, currently under construction, the operational Humber Gateway - plus the company’s existing operations and maintenance facility, Grimsby Hub.
RWE was joined at the event by over 200 suppliers and other organisations active in the sector, including Acta Marine, SGRE, First Subsea, 3Q Industrial, Severfield, Correll Services, UK STEM, NOF, Humber Marine Renewables, all keen to support UK businesses and UK offshore wind success.
David Oswin Renewables Consultant, Severfield said about the event, " It is great to be involved with the STEP programme event, as supplier to the Sofia offshore wind farm here in Grimsby. A great initiative to encourage further UK content. We look forward to further work opportunities with RWE in round 7 of the CfD allocation."
Camilla Carlbom Flinn, Director Pentagon Marine, “Pentagon Marine is immensely proud to be a part of the RWE supply chain and supports RWE’s investment in the region, supporting British businesses, local communities and STEM initiatives in schools. RWE’s contribution to and impact on the region is immeasurable.”
Pictures of the event (credit: RWE) are available at the RWE Media Centre.