News

We're set to become Fit 4 Offshore Renewables

4th April 2024

Marex has joined the fourth cohort of the North-east Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme.

F4OR is a unique service to help the UK supply chain get ready to bid for work in the offshore renewable energy sector.

The objective of the programme is to support the development of an increasingly competent, capable and competitive UK offshore renewable energy supply chain – maximising opportunity for the UK supply chain, both domestically and globally.

Managing director Wayne Henderson said: “We’re really excited to be part of this cohort and it was great to meet our fellow successful applicants in the initial kick-off meeting last week.

“Four years ago, 95% of our business was in oil and gas in the North Sea but it is now closer to 60% oil and gas and 40% renewables. Our pivot has been possible due to the 25 years of expertise in risk and marine which has allowed us to move into renewables.

“Having successfully completed the WEST programme a couple of years ago, which was the springboard for Marex to transition to renewables, Fit 4 Offshore Renewables is the next logical step to further advance into the renewables sector.

“There is a clear need for this expanding market to tap into the lessons that have been learned in the decades of offshore work in the UKCS. We want to bring a risk-based approach to offshore wind industry projects at the design and feasibility stage.”

Over 60 companies have already been supported by the F4OR programme in the North-east of Scotland, and funding for a fourth cohort has come from the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ).

The F4OR programme typically takes 12-18 months and has been developed with input from the offshore renewable energy industry.

Programme manager Davood Sabaei said: “Since F4OR began in 2019, five regional programmes have run in the North-east of Scotland, North-east of England, East Anglia and Suffolk, and national programmes run across Scotland and UK-wide – with more in the pipeline.

“Over 100 companies have been supported by F4OR, which prepares them for work in the offshore renewable energy market, and many have gone on to secure a wide range of new contracts.

“Our national target to generate 50GW of offshore wind power by 2030, creates a huge opportunity for the UK supply chain to grab a significant piece of this market – from design and manufacturing through to operations and maintenance of future offshore developments – and we are supporting local businesses make the most of this opportunity.”