DECC Grant for OSBIT to Develop Offshore Access Technology

Engineering company OSBIT Power (OP) has been confirmed as a successful bidder to a major Government scheme to support manufacturers developing next generation offshore wind technology.

OP, based in Riding Mill, Northumberland has been awarded a £615,000 grant to help develop its MaXccess offshore wind access technology to facilitate safe personnel transfer from the larger dynamically-positioned vessels expected to be used on future offshore wind projects.

“The coalition is determined to drive ambitious green growth, and this is putting our money where our mouth is,” said Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker. “This cash shows that we are delivering on our commitment to support innovation and offshore wind. Making wind turbines more efficient is common sense and will help bring down the costs, making them more attractive to build and helping us increase the amount of electricity we obtain from clean, green sources. It’s great to see OSBIT Power Ltd. stepping up to the challenge to ensure that offshore wind energy is produced in the most cost effective way.”

The funding award is being made under DECC and the Technology Strategy Board’s Offshore Wind Component Technologies Development and Demonstration Scheme. The scheme aims to support innovative companies to develop and demonstrate novel technologies which will lead to cost reduction in offshore wind energy, and increase deployment levels by 2020, and in the following decade.