COMMUNICATION HUB FOR THE WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY Spotlight on OrbisEnergy Centre Dogger Bank

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October/november 2013 | £5.25 FOcus On Orbisenergy Feature spOnsOr Feature spOnsOr FOcus On Orbisenergy

Spotlight on orBiSenergy Centre loweStoft SUffolk

We have been featuring Orbisenergy centre within our pages SUffolk CoUnty CoUnCil - SponSor right from the start because of their forward thinking attitude We welcome Suffolk County Council as our sponsor for the feature and obvious importance to the wind energy industry. and hope you will enjoy the varied editorials from many of the companies and organisations involved in the OrbisEnergy Centre Over the years the centre has become a fi rst choice location for and the area as a whole. networking events, conferences and meetings by the leaders in the industry e.g. The Crown Estate, RenewableUK and SSE to name a few.

We at Wind Energy Network decided to have one of our offi ces within the centre to not only use their state-of-the-art facilities but also to have a presence in one of the most vibrant business growth areas in the UK, if not Europe.

what makeS SUffolk a gooD plaCe to Do BUSineSS?

business peOpLe a short e-survey is being widely weBSite amBaSSaDorS has; we are one hour from London and “We want to build upon this strength distributed to suffolk-based The Invest in Suffolk website highlights why Businesses are also being asked to act one hour from Stansted; salaries are and encourage more people to invest acrOss suFFOLK businesses of all sizes via email and investing in Suffolk is ‘the bright choice’ for as ambassadors for the Invest in Suffolk infl uenced by London, but being based in the county. That is why we are anD beyOnD are social media to fi nd out more about businesses. It has useful information about campaign by hosting presentations, helping here offers considerable savings. Also it’s carrying out this survey to assess what the county’s need to promote growth the county’s key growth sectors, a property to distribute the prospectus and linking to a a beautiful county with a lovely coastline makes Suffolk the bright choice for our being asKeD and create jobs. (You can access this search service to fi nd the best locations promotional fi lm on the website. and no rain. This is a great place to be.” businesses, so that we can spread the WHat maKes within Suffolk CC’s micro-page QR and incentives for re-locating. word within the business community.” Code at the end of this article) williS groUp holDingS plC hUB of traDing aCtivity tHe cOunty a The website also introduces local business Global insurance broker Willis Group Councillor Richard Smith, Suffolk County suffolk county council gOOD pLace tO inwarD inveStment ServiCe (iiS) leaders explaining why Suffolk is a good Holdings PLC has had a signifi cant Council’s cabinet member for economic The research is being carried out by place to do business and enjoy a high presence in Suffolk for 40 years - based in development, said: “Businesses have told DO business anD Suffolk’s IIS, which earlier this year quality of life. It has already brought an iconic Grade I listed building designed us they value being at the hub of trading WHat tHey neeD launched a new website alongside a Suffolk enquiries about investing in Suffolk from by Sir Norman Foster in the centre of activity, with a strong customer base, prospectus and other marketing tools businesses in the UK and worldwide, . affordable premises, a skilled workforce and tO succeeD to promote opportunities for businesses including China, USA and the Middle East. business-friendly networks, with the added choosing to invest in Suffolk. Mark Parker, Managing Director of global bonus of having a high quality of life.” invest in suffolk business survey service centres in Ipswich and Mumbai, http://tinyurl.com/suffolkbusinesssurvey said, “We have an abundance of expertise and talent here in Ipswich. We need to make more of what Suffolk already

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The key to a successful marketing plan with us is to be involved regularly with United effort editorial features and to take advantage of A very different the interactive tools. brings success I look forward to seeing you at RUK , approach in Birmingham in November, where my colleagues and I would be pleased to for Fred. Olsen discuss your involvement in the magazine magazine publishing during 2014.”

UK industry first Wind Energy Network The Forewind project utilised for our industry the full ‘turnkey’ capacity within the Fred. Olsen group which Wind Energy Network is very different New recruit can draw on the combined to other industry magazines. We have Carly O’Hara, the newest and one of the expertise of up to seven related an office in OrbisEnergy, so we are liveliest members of the team, has been companies. close to other companies working in overwhelmed with the amount of positive this exiting industry. response from our To begin with, the Forewind readers: project was the first In simple terms, our priority is to include… commercial assignment for “Everyone I speak Fred. Olsen WIndcarrier’s Guide cones • Editorial from experts in the industry to has nothing but vessel the Brave Tern. The were used in - at no cost and with no conditions on praise and kind Brave Tern, along with her the first ‘human advertising. Our editorial policy is ‘if feedback on the sister ship the Bold Tern, free’ installation the content helps the industry as a magazine -whether it are state-of-the-art jack-up of a met mast whole and/or helps it communicate be the articles or the installation vessels built to the tower on to the in a better way, we will publish’. design and quality of NG9000 specification. Capable innovative bucket the magazine. of jacking up in water depths foundation Unique of up to 45m, lifting 800 tonnes Many of the articles in the magazine have Our aim is to and carrying 5,300 tonnes of QR codes/ links through to specially build strong cargo, the Bold and Brave designed pages which contain additional, relationships with Terns are amongst the best suited vessels Bucket Foundation technology. We’re supportive & relevant information to enrich our clients, to find of their class in the market today. proud to be leading the way.” and enhance the editorials. This makes out their marketing both our printed and website based requirements and Bucket Foundation He said that the vast potential from planned magazine very interactive and pertinent to help with their The Bucket Foundation used at Dogger windfarms off the UK’s east coast was key our readers. marketing plan. Bank was developed by Fred. Olsen to bringing Fred. Olsen United to the East related company Universal Foundation, of . through The Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator programme and features Great location a steel bucket sunk into the seabed by “Lowestoft is a great location as it’s a suction and jetting system. A second already a major hub for the windpower Are you looking for a specialist meteorological mast will be installed at the industry and OrbisEnergy is operations Dogger Bank site later this year. centre for the Greater Gabbard . Only months after Fred. Olsen service supplier with experience in United moved into its new Then, a new and safer installation technique “We are closest to the massive Round 3 UK offices at OrbisEnergy, was used to lift the met mast tower on to East Anglia Offshore Windfarm Zone and Lowestoft, the company began the foundation. well positioned for Hornsea and Dogger the wind energy industry? the installation of the first Bank and a range of Round 2 sites.” meteorological mast on the Joint development 9GW Dogger Bank offshore Developed jointly between Forewind, Fred. The Bold Tern was also the first installation With 1200+ companies listed, it is the website windfarm utilising a gamut of Olsen United and the related companies, vessel to carry and install eight Siemens pioneering technologies. Among the groundbreaking installation process 3.6MW turbines in a single deployment to find an expert them was the innovative Bucket uses strong, lightweight plastic guide cones whilst working on the Riffgat project in the Foundation that are strapped to the tower flanges German Bight earlier this year. that greatly reduce the amount of human intervention needed during the operation. Fred. Olsen United The Stuart Thornton, UK Manager for Fred. Communication Olsen United, said: “We’ve demonstrated Hub for the the combined capabilities of the Fred. Wind Energy Olsen-related companies in a pioneering Industry project as well as taken an important step towards the full commercialisation of the

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“Huge offshore wind projects are We have the 504MW Galloper wind farm National innovation centre State-of-the-art conference Investment Innovation, creating some of the biggest recently approved, developments at OrbisEnergy is the national innovation centre Businesses are already investing in the opportunities in a generation, and they Dudgeon off the Norfolk coast, and then centre for offshore renewables based OrbisEnergy has a state-of-the-art region with NWES and OrbisEnergy incubation and are not just for the technical companies there will be the biggest of them all, the in Lowestoft, owned by Suffolk County conference centre, where we invite major providing dedicated support through specialising in renewables. There are thousand-plus wind turbines of the East Council and managed by enterprise international companies to meet local our property network and support team. perspiration… opportunities for a much wider range of Anglia Array. We’re looking at a market specialists NWES. Its main purpose is businesses and find out about the region’s Companies such as offshore wind businesses.” says Johnathan Reynolds, that’s tens of thousands of offshore wind to help entrepreneurs, start-ups and capabilities. It’s an ideal opportunity for developers East Anglian Offshore Wind and key ingredients Business Development Lead for Suffolk’s turbines over the next decade. regional businesses join the energy supply local suppliers already in the supply chain SSE Renewables; European companies flagship innovation centre OrbisEnergy and chain and take advantage of the rapid (or wanting to join) to investigate face-to- creating new UK-based operations such for the leading Director of energy firm Nautilus Associates Energy mix development of offshore renewables in face what the industry requires and how as SubC Anglia, Windcat Workboats, and who explains further… Offshore oil and gas is still big business the . It offers companies access they can access those projects. Fred. Olsen United. offshore in the region too, with more than £44bn to high-spec office suites and dedicated Norfolk and Suffolk of new investment in gas exploration, support from industry professionals, plus Wind, wave and tidal energy Opportunities renewables Norfolk and Suffolk are at the centre of production and storage projects across the the opportunity to get involved in a range As well as the conference facilities, While there are significant business the world’s largest market for offshore UK. There are plans for CO2 storage in the of leading research and development OrbisEnergy is a specialist innovation and prospects for construction and installation, hub wind. There’s around £30bn of planned Southern North Sea; and onshore there are programmes. incubation centre for offshore renewable the long-term opportunities will be around investment in new energy projects in the the nuclear developments. energy - wind, wave and tidal. Two of our operations, maintenance and asset region by 2020. We already have Scroby Supply chain anchor tenants are major international management of the windfarms – that’s the Sands, Sheringham Shoal, Greater Nowhere in the UK has a broader energy OrbisEnergy plays a major role in ensuring energy companies: SSE Renewables 20 to 25 year business after a windfarm is Gabbard and – and that’s mix or provides as much business potential all the links in the supply chain have access and East Anglia Offshore Wind. We are installed. The region is ideally positioned for only the beginning. as Norfolk and Suffolk, and it’s not just to this fast growing industry, helping to attracting lots of companies to gravitate longer term operations and maintenance, the specialist energy sector companies build partnerships and commercial links towards Lowestoft and OrbisEnergy, building on many years’ experience of the oil who stand to benefit. They’ll need a among suppliers, contractors, engineers, to work alongside some of the major and gas industry off the East Anglian coast. supply chain of local companies providing manufacturers and research centres. players. There are a large variety of tenant manufacturing, design, engineering, companies, some are start-ups; and some Global business operations and maintenance capabilities. The supply chain spreads much wider than companies are already providing direct and This is not just a local opportunity. It And they’ll need a wider supply chain made most of us realise. There are opportunities indirect support to the supply chain. is a global business; there are global of a huge range of supporting services, to provide a huge range of services to the opportunities for companies based in from financial and legal advice to catering. energy sector, not just specialist technical NWES network our region. We’re here to help them to These companies will need support as they services. These companies all need OrbisEnergy is part of the NWES network of maximise their growth potential, with our grow to meet the business demand, and support, whether it’s finance, personnel, more than 25 Innovation Centres, Business partners EEEGR ( Energy that’s where OrbisEnergy marketing, contracting, procurement, or Incubators and Enterprise Centres through Group) and New Anglia Local Enterprise can help. legal advice. And there’s the indirect supply which we deliver what budding business Partnership, supported by the local chain, which includes bed-and-breakfast, leaders need to get started. In the offshore authorities across Suffolk and Norfolk. hoteliers and taxi firms; they’re needed to energy sector alone, we’ve supported make the whole supply chain work. fledging companies to become major local It’s our ambition to drive growth and to employers such as Seajacks, the 3Sun bring wealth and job creation opportunities Focus Group, Fraser Offshore, Stimwell Services, to the region for the next twenty years; and The OrbisEnergy team is focusing on three 4C Offshore and many more. we can also service a global market from complementary approaches to develop our Suffolk. We’re already starting to realise supply chain… Specialist facilities that ambition. Our fleet of specialist facilities include • Support businesses that have already Beacon Innovation Centre in Gorleston; OrbisEnergy secured opportunities within the sector, Riverside Business Centre in Lowestoft; and build on these strengths Leiston Enterprise Centre a stone’s • Engage with businesses planning throw from Sizewell; and many more to enter the market and help them to providing workspace and support for new understand the industry businesses. • Explore opportunities for companies unaware of the sector, matching gaps With the East Anglian coast being in the supply chain to the capabilities of designated a Centre for Offshore businesses Renewable Engineering with a dedicated energy focused Enterprise Zone, we’re now seeing unprecedented interest with international investors and companies looking to set up and establish themselves.

Cover image supplied by the OrbisEnergy Centre (Courtesy of CHPV)

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“Home is where the heart is but although EEEGR started in Great Yarmouth and Rope access specialists is headquartered there we are an all- GEV Offshore, the UK’s leading rope OEM approved EEEGR embracing regional organisation.” access company specialising in wind As an OEM approved company it can energy, has seen record levels of boast the industry’s largest number of Virtual office demand for its services following a UK based technicians covering blade One step was to establish a virtual office substantial investment in training at inspection, repair and retrofits. at OrbisEnergy which gave EEEGR a the beginning of 2013. even presence in Lowestoft, among many Wind industry experience members and supporters who occupy the The company has completed projects on same energy hub. over 24 wind farms throughout Europe and as far afield as Thailand and Morocco. “With members in Essex, Cambridgeshire, stronger Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, EEEGR Their experience working in challenging in spite of winds of change is truly region-wide and represents the international markets has been a feature entire energy supply chain across the East since inception and they are delighted to be EEEGR, the East of England Energy Winds of change of England.” said Simon. represented either directly or through key Group, marks its 13th anniversary Much has changed, however, particularly partners in locations around the world. Future expansion early in 2014 at the end of a year the ever-increasing focus on offshore wind The company aim to continue growing which has seen membership top 400 which has seen the recent official opening The company’s expertise in exporting during 2014 and is planning to double its for the first time. of Great Gabbard and Sheringham Shoal quality workmanship and a strong health technician resource to meet the anticipated and safety culture, provides overseas demand. clients with significant peace of mind Michael Fallon, Minister of State for typically not available in the respective local GEV Offshore Energy, at the opening of Greater marketplace. Gabbard offshore wind farm

retain their colour within IALA guidelines Sheringham for more than 15 years. Simon Gray, EEEGR Shoal buoy Chief Executive Rental service rental The buoys are being leased to SCIRA Member services until the end of “What we bring members is hot news contract September 2013 as and updates, skills information and SCIRA, the developer of Sheringham part of Hydrosphere’s developments, supply chain opportunities, Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, have buoy and light rental seminars, meet-the-buyer sessions, extended their rental of the eight JET service. special interest groups, contact with 9000 Q HV navigation buoys that are Government policy makers, publicity and being used to mark the site. The company major conferences - the next being SNS introduced a 2014: the Sea of Opportunity at the Norfolk Hydrosphere originally deployed the buoys rental facility to Showground, Norwich on March 5-6. with the Trinity House Vessel Galatea in accommodate But its mission remains to unite all elements wind farms and the prospect of even larger February 2010. A full maintenance visit of companies needing of the region’s energy industry with one Round 3 developments to follow. “Its focus is on crucial offshore wind, gas the buoys was also carried out in October lights and buoys voice and the common cause of keeping and Sizewell C opportunities, challenges 2011, and all buoys were found to be in for short term projects and has already Comprehensive range the lights on all over England. “They will be a critical part of the East and issues around the Southern North very good condition with only slight wear on proven popular with the company’s wind Hydrosphere’s comprehensive range of of England economy for decades but Sea, along with generous networking time the moorings. farms customers, which include Greater rental products includes navigation lights, it is vital to ensure the correct mix and - the very thing which set EEEGR on the Gabbard, Walney, North Hoyle, Scroby navigation buoys, data buoy platforms, balance of energy supplies.” said EEEGR road in the first place.” Robust and cost-effective Sands, Kentish Flats, Burbo Bank, Robin chains and sinkers. Chief Executive Simon Gray. solution Rigg, Lincs, and Strangford Lough. EEEGR Manufactured by world-leading buoy Hydrosphere UK Ltd “We are fortunate in this region to have manufacturer Mobilis, the JET 9000 buoys “Contractors often need temporary reserves and expertise in all energy provide a really robust and cost-effective navigation aids for short-term, project resources whether gas, nuclear, solution for offshore and deepwater based deployments, marking sites windpower, biofuel, or other renewables applications, especially where high visibility while construction is underway. We’ve such as solar and wave and tidal.” is a must. As with all Mobilis buoys in the designed our rentals to be as flexible as JET range, because they are constructed possible for our customers – our minimum from UV stabilised polyethylene rental contract is just three months, which components the buoys can withstand of course can be extended.” said John extremely harsh sea conditions and will Caskey, Hydrosphere Managing Director.

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UK or western Europe windpower market Student success for Scour Prevention Door is open for as being most in need of advice on how business was done here. Technical researcher for Scour As a company delivering solutions to the mats for cable and pipeline protection, inward investment Prevention Systems Ltd, Katie rapidly evolving offshore wind industry, supervised by course director Dr Lawrence The personal touch Musgrave, graduated from her Scour Prevention recognise the importance Coates. Getting a foot in the door is a basic “Happily our door is wide open to “Much is on a personal level where masters in Energy Engineering with of forging connections between industry step for anyone with ambition - businesses which want to use the skills you must be rubbing shoulders with Environmental Management from the and academia. As a result, the company Scaled modelling of the mats was particularly in business. and 50-year experience of our supply those in the sector and getting into the University of East undertaken in a wave flume at the chain and to bring networking circuit. You need to be close Anglia recently. University to study mat performance prosperity and to the developers and key contractors under extreme waves. Facilities in the employment to the like the turbine manufacturers. If you Key role hydraulics lab were modified especially East of England.” he aren’t visible, you won’t be seen.” James Katie will now for the work, leveraging funding for new said. continued. become a full-time equipment from an Innovation Voucher member of Scour though the Technology Strategy Board. “Yet many foreign Specialist incubation centre Prevention’s small but The findings of the study are being used to investors don’t realise He believes a hub such as OrbisEnergy in growing team, playing refine mat design, as well as to accelerate the heavyweight Lowestoft, a specialist incubation centre for a key role in product the application of the product in new and competition they will the offshore renewable sector, is invaluable. development and emerging markets. face and the direct commercialisation effort they need to “An inward investor can set up an of the firm’s novel Industry and university links succeed in business office within 24 hours and have a shiny scour prevention Scour Prevention’s Chairman John Balch here.” nameplate on the door. technology. The said: “As a small and growing company, company’s Scour we’re both delighted and proud to have Energy “It’s a great selling point for the region, Protection Mats, been able to support Katie through her resources along with the energy trade association consisting of end-of- MSc in Energy Engineering at UEA. It’s a – wind in EEEGR and the Enterprise Zone life tyres, represent a Katie Musgrave relatively new course and Katie is already particular opportunities around Lowestoft and Great significant opportunity making a significant contribution to the James Gray, Inward He said the array of Yarmouth ports. for cost reduction development of the product range and Investment Director energy resources and improved the business.” for the East of England available in the region, “And the unified welcome they receive effectiveness of scour protection around have sponsored Katie to study on the Energy Zone whether gas, new through EEEZ gives them that foot in the offshore turbine foundations and cables. newly established Energy Engineering Scour Prevention are pleased to have nuclear, offshore door.” James concluded. Masters at UEA. Alongside academic established strong links with a local wind or a variety of Scour Prevention Systems commitments, she has continued to work university and envisage continued other renewables, East of England Energy Zone Having started working for fellow part-time for Scour Prevention, providing engagement with the UEA’s growing East of England Energy Zone brought enquiries from potential investors OrbisEnergy tenant 4NRg as an intern three engineering support in offshore product energy engineering course and its It’s a simple lesson which James Gray, worldwide. years ago, Katie moved across to work for trials and co-ordinating research activities. participants in the future. Inward Investment Director for EEEZ is Scour Prevention when it was co-founded passing on to international companies But he singled out the significant number by 4NRg and commercial diving company, Dissertation project Scour Prevention Systems Ltd seeking to tap into the region’s windpower of enterprises from large developing Underwater Surveys Limited, also based in In her final dissertation project, Katie and other energy resources. economies looking for a gateway into the the centre. focused on applications of the innovative

A European focus for the innovation and can be developed and integrated in a Joint Action Plan, enabling intensified intra and research in offshore wind through ECOWindS interregional research and innovation driven co-operation. East Anglia is leading European funded research installation, operation and maintenance programme of offshore wind in the UK, Germany, Objective the UK as part of a The €2 million European funded research Denmark and Norway with the goal of ECOWindS’ objective is to pave the way major three year EU programme ECOWindS (European Clusters improving innovation, reducing costs, and for new research and knowledge of how funded programme for Offshore Wind Servicing) has been stimulating European and international the costs of offshore wind energy can be established to highlight opportunities for partnerships. While the participating driven down, which is to result in lower and focused on increasing an international network of companies European offshore clusters are characterised competitive prices. By disseminating the the capacity for and research facilities in the installation, by complementary strengths, they all face knowledge gained throughout the project, operation and maintenance of offshore common challenges and bottlenecks that it will contribute to the growth of many innovation and cost wind turbines. can best be dealt with within a cross- small and medium sized companies and reduction across the regional collaborative framework. strengthen European competitiveness in offshore wind sector Leading consortium the market for offshore wind. Leading the UK consortium members is the Workshops national innovation centre OrbisEnergy with Focused workshops are being held during ECOWindS its partners NWES and Nautilus Associates. October and November in each partner The project is currently gathering detailed country which will shape how best each knowledge of each region in areas of regional offshore wind research agenda

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Selection process Panel debate Blown away by the recruitment The interview and selection process was Mr Gray said the East of England was led by Cooper Lomaz in partnership with High hopes as now well positioned in the thinking of the challenge of offshore wind Norwegian members of the Statoil project offshore industry and it was important to team. Candidates needed to match the see industry leaders coming to meet the A case study of the Sheringham manage the recruitment process, the brief Norwegian firm’s values of integrity, diligence East of England region’s supply chain. He agreed with the Shoal Offshore Wind Farm to Cooper Lomaz Recruitment was to say and a passion for its work, as well as being panel that the East of England was ideally recruitment project the least, daunting: meet demanding people a committed team player. By March 2011 7 chases wind and placed for manufacturing foundations and Building an 88 turbine offshore wind farm specifications in a new industry by recruiting permanent staff and 3 contractors had been towers and the assembly of turbines and with 2 offshore sub-stations in the North as many local people as possible, who could appointed and were in post - 3 weeks earlier would also prove to be the ideal base for Sea between 9 and 17 miles off the coast be in post by late March 2011 at latest. than the deadline! gas business O&M. of North Norfolk was always going to be a challenge, but finding engineers, marine Recruitment experience Since recruiting those initial Scira employees, Ranjit Mene, head of co-ordinators, health & safety inspectors, With over 20 years’ experience in Cooper Lomaz has continued to provide a UK offshore sales for and finance and HR managers for this engineering recruitment for companies pro-active service to the company, recruiting RE Power, said the emerging industry sector in a quiet corner in all East Anglia’s key industry sectors; daily rate contractors and permanent region should play to of rural North Norfolk became a challenge Cooper Lomaz has a detailed knowledge members of staff. its strengths and being of a different kind for Cooper Lomaz of the employment marketplace in Eastern close to the massive Recruitment. England. By maintaining regular contact Recruitment detail East Anglia Array with highly experienced personnel in the oil The construction of the Sheringham Shoal windfarm plans was Scira Offshore Energy & gas industry, manufacturing and logistics Offshore Wind Farm was completed in important although more Scira Offshore Energy, owned in equal shares and supply chain functions, it was felt that late 2012, by the time Scira moved into investment in ports by 2 large Norwegian companies, Statkraft the appropriate transferable skills would be it’s operations and maintenance phase in might still be needed. and Statoil, had been working on the £1bn found in these sectors. early 2013, Cooper Lomaz had recruited 14 Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm permanent members of staff; these include Andrew Fox, business project since it gained its licence from The Cooper Lomaz’s Jane Lovell said: “We the HR and Communications Manager, relationship manager Crown Estate in late 2004 and had made had been receiving expressions of interest the Head of Finance, the HSE Manager, with Areva, said that considerable progress by autumn 2010. from a growing number of mechanical and Mechanical, Electrical and Commissioning locality was key when it electrical engineers who wished to explore Engineers, Wind Analysts, a Marine Manager came to O&M and the Wells-next-the-Sea the opportunities in Norfolk and Suffolk and a number of Marine Co-ordinators. region was perfectly The tiny, picturesque town of Wells-next- offered by offshore wind for some time.” placed to use its the-Sea in North Norfolk had been chosen Blown away long-term expertise, as the operations and maintenance base for Commitment Jane Lovell summed up the success of knowledge and skills in a the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, Scira Offshore Energy’s commitment to the the project: “We were totally blown away more sustainable part of a new outer harbour had been constructed North Norfolk economy, the employment of when we realised the huge number of the business. by the Wells Harbour Commission. This local people and the use of local businesses opportunities that exist for the East Anglia was needed to give better access for the within its supply chain, resulted in Cooper economy as a result of the development of Skills personnel transport vessels which would Lomaz running two large recruitment offshore wind farms in the southern North Skills were also on the be travelling out to the wind farm on a daily advertisements in five regional and local Sea up to 2020 and beyond. mind of Norwich North basis for the next 50 years. newspapers in December 2010 and January MP Chloe Smith who 2011. “We have now established an offshore told the conference that Onshore work renewable energy and wind engineering James Gray (seated) with (from left) Ranjit Mene, of RE Power; the region’s focus should A 22km underground cable had been laid Local skills recruitment team who are working with a Alstom Wind’s Andrew Compton: and Andrew Fox, of Areva. be on encouraging from the coastal village of Weybourne, Scira’s faith in the availability of locally rapidly growing number of offshore wind young people into the where the 317MW of electricity generated sourced skills and talents was well justified. farm operators and their first tier suppliers industry. by the offshore wind farm now comes General Manager Einar Strømsvåg was and contractors.” Energy and engineering ashore, to Salle near Norwich, where a new delighted with the response: “The interest Delegates to the EEEGR2013 Halfdan Brustad, Statoil vice president, offered exciting and engaging roles for sub-station had been built to distribute the in employment in renewable energy in Cooper Lomaz Recruitment Ltd conference went home enthused by said that having completed their role in young people and the sector needed to electricity into the National Grid. East Anglia was shown by the quantity more evidence of the renewed dash Sheringham Shoal windfarm, they were remember that tomorrow’s engineers are and quality of the applications received. for gas and a fresh blast of windpower now moving on to the £2.4bn Dudgeon today’s primary school pupils. Management team Cooper Lomaz Recruitment discovered to boost the East of England energy project where they would be tendering for Towards the end of 2010, it was time for an amazing range of experience industry. major contracts mid-2014 and operating She commended EEEGR for its work to Scira to start recruiting a core management and capability, which resulted in the by 2017. attract new skills into the industry and team. Having won a competitive pitch to appointment of a number of local Norfolk Experts from three world-leading wind praised the University of East Anglia for people.” turbine producers agreed that the East UK involvement working towards a School for Engineering. of England was ideally placed to support “We want a high UK involvement in the She hoped such initiatives would the development of the massive wind project with huge opportunities for the complement her support for the Norwich farms planned for the Southern North local supply chain,” he said, adding that for Jobs campaign. Sea including those north of Belgium and cost efficiency would be key. Holland. EEEGR A special windpower session saw the Further encouragement three turbine representatives join a panel There was further encouragement for the debate moderated by James Gray, inward sector, however, with the prospect of future investment director for EEEGR and the Image supplied by Scira Offshore Energy contracts with the impending Dudgeon East of England Energy Zone. (Courtesy of CHPV) windfarm off North Norfolk.

22 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 23 Focus on OrbisEnergy feature sponsor Beacon Innovation Centre, Gorleston OIL & GAS Leading the way for wind energy workwear Are you

Workwear for the wind energy sector is Safety products “We have more than 40,000 product line one of the fastest growing markets for The OAASIS product development teams items in stock ready for same-day dispatch the OAASIS Group. have also successfully designed and and over 250,000 products available to in the manufactured groundbreaking safety order from 15 product categories. Our That’s no surprise when its new purpose- products under the brand Traverrse for selection of top brands gives customers a built 30,000sq.ft centre on Gapton Industrial the offshore industry and are currently choice in safety, style and comfort.” Estate, Great Yarmouth, is so close to a developing a range of safety clothing and GORLESTON coastline which boasts some of the biggest safety gear for the expanding wind sector. Additional products Corridor Riverside Business Centre, Lowestoft new or planned wind farms in the world. Products also include everything from Global market harnesses and lanyards to fall blocks and ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN It’s a rapidly developing new era for a As well as its vast new centre at the heart connections by Miller, Petzl and P+P. A12 company which has sales staff with 150- of the Great Yarmouth business scene, For offshore developments, OAASIS can plus years of experience and expertise in the OAASIS has premises and partner locations provide life-saving equipment like SOLAS life of Power? supply of industrial and safety workwear and in Aberdeen, Lowestoft (OrbisEnergy), jackets and Ursuit survival suits and the full products which it distributes to a worldwide Ghana, Nigeria, Singapore, Houston and complement of other essential items. client base. Azerbaijan. If you’re in the energy business, we Michael Tottman, Sales Director UK and have the exible, high quality o ce Wind energy industry “OAASIS has become an essential arm to Ireland for Mascot International, said: “As LOWESTOFT For the windpower sector, it has supplied the wind sector and one of our strengths a leading workwear and safety footwear environment you need for your east projects such as London Array, Greater is in understanding the need for products manufacturer to the renewable energy coast base. Gabbard, Sheringham Shoal, Gwnt y Mor, specifically designed to meet the tough market we are pleased to be a strategic Robin Rigg and Germany’s Meerwind with demands of the wind, offshore and marine partner to the OAASIS group. OrbisEnergy, Lowestoft products like hi-vis Mascot clothing with industry,” said Lee Sparkes, from the With a strong energy business wind, waterproof and breathable fabrics, business development team. “Working strategically with OAASIS will OFFSHORE RENEWABLES including flame retardant properties where ensure that the Mascot brands remain network and skills base, six needed. Success story prevalent within the renewable energy Enterprise Zone sites, and “It’s been some success story and the key industry going forward.” is our highly-skilled professional team and recognition as one of only six length of time they have been in place. Lee Sparkes national Centres of O shore Thanks to that, our customer base is Business Development growing year on year. OAASIS Group Ltd Renewable Engineering, the East Anglian coast is the perfect location. A12 You’ll get everything you need to build a successful operation in the Leiston Enterprise Centre, Leiston NUCLEAR East of England from NWES, the UK’s most dynamic enterprise agency.

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Image Courtesy of Mascot www.nwes.org.uk 0845 437 4465 24 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 81