A funding boost of £2.5 million has been awarded to a partnership between the University of Edinburgh, the University of Dundee, and the Forth and Tay Offshore (FTO) Cluster to improve offshore wind technology.

Now backed by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the project will leverage the expertise of those involved to help address critical challenges in offshore wind tech, fostering innovations that will drive sustainable energy solutions and further strengthen Scotland’s position as a global leader in offshore wind.

The project also looks to drive job creation, economic growth, and innovation within the renewable energy sector, benefitting regional and local economies and communities.

The east coast of Scotland is viewed as an ideal location from which to run the programme, as it’s currently home to the majority of Scotland’s offshore wind farms. It also boasts diverse supply chain companies, from developers to SMEs, and with a range of ports such as Forth Green Freeport.

The funding marks a major milestone for the partnership, aligning with the UK government’s aim to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. The funding was awarded via UKRI’s Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme.

Professor Alasdair McDonald, chair in Renewable Technologies at the University of Edinburgh, expressed enthusiasm for the project: “This funding will enable us to push the boundaries of offshore wind technology, from improved design and engineering practices to enhanced environmental impact analysis.

“Our collaboration with the University of Dundee and the Forth and Tay Offshore Cluster will allow us to harness collective strengths and knowledge, leading to breakthroughs that will benefit the industry and society at large.”

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Professor Michael Brown, from the University of Dundee’s School of Science and Engineering, also said: “This project is a great opportunity for local industry and business to innovate through working more closely with Dundee and Edinburgh universities, and it will cultivate closer working to tackle the remaining challenges for fixed wind and the new challenges coming with floating wind.

“With a focus on the East coast of Scotland, this opportunity will benefit areas such as Montrose, Dundee, Fife, Edinburgh and the local ports as well as the wider renewable energy supply chain.”

David Webster, chair of Forth and Tay Offshore Cluster and commercial director at Forth Ports, further remarked: “Offshore wind is a gamechanger for the East of Scotland and we are all pioneers as the industry develops and evolves.

“We are more than excited to be able to contribute to this vitally important piece of work that has such immense potential to positively impact the renewable energy sector and beyond.”