AREG – ELBE networking workshop event

November 21, 2018
AREG – ELBE networking workshop event

More than 70 organisations from Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and the Basque Country participated in the first ELBE project event last month. The aim of the initiative is to position Europe as the world technological and industrial leader in blue energy.

Held in Aberdeen, this first ELBE Networking Workshop event focused on the floating offshore wind market (FOW). Representatives from 73 companies attended local site visits to Vattenfall’s European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, the Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm Project and Maersk Training, which runs courses for personnel involved in the safe operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms.

A presentation on the ELBE project and its objectives followed and included a roadmap demonstrating ELBE’s internationalisation prospects for the FOW sector. There were also guest speakers from some of the industry’s key players including Equinor, the Kincardine project, and Vattenfall. Networking opportunities saw more than 80 meetings taking place between participating businesses which resulted in several project opportunities and collaborative campaigns being identified.

There were also two networking receptions held during the event which were attended by several offshore wind developers including EDP Renewables and EDF. These provided an opportunity for the SMEs to address them directly, discuss new innovative projects and the potential for further collaboration in the future.

The following day, ELBE’s event delegates visited the Floating Offshore Wind 2018 conference organised by industry body, RenewableUK at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

The highlights included hearing updates on various ongoing projects and the integral part new technology continues to play. Delegates were also privy to a presentation from a government body, discussing its plans for future offshore wind installations in the coming years.

With another two similar ELBE project Networking Workshop events in the pipeline, those attending this first one were also able to forge important relationships which will be key to the success of the initiative, as well as the technological and economical challenges for the FOW sector in the future.

Get in touch

AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy

Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall

Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise