Newsletter – August 2025

Welcome to The Clean Energy Cluster Monthly Newsletter where you can read about member updates, upcoming events, supply chain news, support programmes, procurement opportunities and more.

If you would like to feature your news, events, initiatives and procurement opportunities in our Newsletter, please email us with the details: [email protected].

Opportunities

Tender: EnBW – Subsea Inspection

EnBW is inviting bids for periodic subsea inspection services at its offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea and North Sea.

The contracts are expected to run from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031. The scope includes visual and functional inspections of underwater support structures of the wind turbine generators and offshore substations. The tender is divided into two lots:

• LOT 1 – Periodic Subsea Inspections – Offshore Wind Farms in the Baltic Sea
• LOT 2 – Periodic Subsea Inspections – Offshore Wind Farms in the North Sea

For more information and to respond by September 4, visit TED – EU Tenders.

Aberdeen City Council: Business Start-Up Grants

Aberdeen City Council is offering grants of up to £3,000 through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support new businesses within the city.

The grant is designed to cover essential early-stage costs and help new ventures establish a strong foundation. The scheme is open to sole traders, partnerships and limited companies that began trading on or after October 1, 2024, and are based within the council boundary. Eligible applicants can receive £1,000 if operating without premises, or £3,000 if taking on a rateable commercial space.

Find out more and apply by February 8, 2026, on Aberdeen City Council’s website.

Manufacturing Facility Support Programme

The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has launched its 2025 Manufacturing Facility Support Programme (MFSP), offering grants of up to £500,000 per project.

With £2 million total funding available, the programme supports UK-based businesses preparing for capital investment in offshore wind manufacturing. Projects must align with the Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan and are expected to deliver at least £5 million capital investment, 20+ UK jobs and £5 million annual revenue within five years.

Find out more and apply by September 19 on OWGP’s website.

Wind Expert Support Toolkit

The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has opened applications for Wave 17 of its Wind Expert Support Toolkit (WEST) programme, offering strategic business transformation support including expert consultancy, market insight and tailored pathways into offshore wind.

UK-registered companies of any size or level of experience, whether entering, transitioning into or already scaling within the offshore wind sector, are eligible to apply.

Find out more and apply by September 5 on OWGP’s website.

Transition Training Fund

A new £900,000 pilot, backed by the UK and Scottish governments and delivered in partnership with Skills Development Scotland, offers tailored support and training to around 200 current and former oil and gas workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

The fund helps with careers advice and training for roles in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, tapping into the high-quality clean energy jobs emerging in the region.

Find out more about the pilot on the UK government’s website.

Upcoming Events: Cluster

FLOW: Concrete Workshop and Networking Reception | November 12, Aberdeen

Floating Offshore Wind 2025, co-organised by Scottish Renewables and RenewableUK, returns to Aberdeen on November 12 and 13.

On day one, The Clean Energy Cluster invites members to join us for a hands-on Concrete Workshop, exploring the role of concrete as a low-carbon material for the construction of floating wind foundations.

Open to all cluster members and conference delegates, the session is a unique chance to learn, share expertise and connect directly with peers shaping Scotland’s floating wind sector. For more information, visit the conference programme.

For members wishing to attend the Concrete Workshop only, registration details will be released shortly. To book a full conference pass, visit Scottish Renewables’ website.

Upcoming Events

SPE Offshore Europe | September 2-5 Aberdeen

SPE Offshore Europe 2025 is returning to P&J Live in Aberdeen from 2–5 September.

The conference will cover key themes in offshore energy, from oil and gas to renewable energy and hydrogen, and we’re excited to attend. Whether you’re curious about our initiatives, seeking collaboration or just want to say hello, we’d love to chat.

If you would like to meet with us at the event, please email Antigoni Markitani [email protected].

AI in Action | September 11, Caithness

Join a free, half-day session in Thurso on September 11, hosted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

This practical workshop will guide you through how AI can help boost productivity, enhance services and grow your customer base, including hands-on exercises on customer insights and operational efficiency.

Discover more information and book your pass on the event website.

Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm Construction | September 12, Online

Join this online session to learn about the supply chain opportunities with Forth Ports for the Inch Cape offshore wind farm. ​​​​Forth Ports is seeking:

Drone inspection servicesEquipment provisions – forklifts, etc.Personnel provision – HSEQ, document control, operational support and welding support, etc.Facilities management.

Learn more and register for the webinar on the event website.

Offshore Excursion | September 15, Hamburg

Kicking off HUSUM WIND, taking place in Hamburg, this full-day tour offers exclusive visits to 25 offshore projects operated by industry leaders such as Ørsted, Vattenfall, RWE and TenneT. Participants will gain expert insights into both operational and under-construction sites.

Secure your spot and find out more on the event website.

Circular Economy Workshop | September 25, Blyth

Take part in the Circular Economy Workshop on September 25 at the Energy Central Learning Hub in Blyth.

Co-hosted by RenewableUK and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, this interactive event brings together industry leaders to explore innovations in turbine design, asset longevity, waste reduction and value creation across the wind energy life-cycle.

Discover more and register your attendance on the event website.

Unexploded Ordnance: Mitigation in the Marine Environment | October 7, Blyth

Taking place on Tuesday, October 7, at the Energy Central Campus in Blyth, Global Underwater Hub’s (GUH) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Mitigation in the Marine Environment conference will focus on the UXO mitigation process and explore the challenges involved in this important activity.

Find out more information and register your attendance on the GUH website.

How to Fund Your Startup | October 7, Edinburgh

Join the British Business Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland at “How to fund your startup” and gain invaluable insights into the world of business finance.

Covering common sources of startup funding such as grants, debt finance and equity investment, attendees will also pick up handy hints and tips on how businesses can secure the finance they need to grow.

To register for the event, visit the British Business Bank website.

HIE Provides £1.175m Funding For Shetland Quay

Build Scotland

Plans for an Ultra-Deep-Water Quay in Shetland have secured up to £1.175 million in funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The funding will support preparatory works, dredging and deepening areas adjacent to the quayside at Dales Voe in Lerwick Harbour to -16 metres.

Vestas swings to second-quarter profit, keeps outlook

Market Screener

Danish wind turbine maker Vestas swung to a profit in the second quarter from a loss a year before, maintaining its financial outlook for 2025 on expectations it could overcome the impact of U.S. policy uncertainty.

Oceaneering unveils £1.6 million subsea cables project

Insider.co.uk

A new project is aiming to add capacity for the manufacture of subsea power cables for Scotland’s offshore wind sector. Rosyth-based manufacturer Oceaneering’s new £1.6m project will be delivered with the support of a £400,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise.

Kishorn Port tipped for key offshore wind role

reNews

Kishorn Port in Wester Ross has been highlighted as a key strategic site for offshore wind following a visit by Scotland’s transport cabinet secretary Fiona Hyslop.

Ørsted’s drones take offshore wind maintenance to new heights

Energy Live News

It is working with its UK-based drone operator Skylift to use the ‘FlyingBasket’ drones to transport boxes of critical safety evacuation equipment, which weigh up to 70kg.

Nine supply chain firms win gongs for clean energy achievement

Energy Voice

Emma Harrick, director of supply chain and energy transition at Scottish Renewables, said: “The Scottish Green Energy Supply Chain Awards is proud to champion the bold, agile, forward-thinking businesses and organisations that are rising to the challenge of building our future energy system.”

Permit application submitted for 1GW floating offshore project

Energy Live News

Buchan Offshore Wind’s project would include up to 70 turbines and generate enough electricity to power more than one million homes.

Ardersier Port’s owner Haventus announces CEO Lewis Gillies is stepping down after almost three years at the helm

Inverness Courier

Haventus, the company behind the port’s development, announced on its LinkedIn page that its CEO Lewis Gillies has decided to step down from his role, after having taken the company from a start-up to what is expected to turn soon into an operating port.

New wind energy support warehouse opened in Scotland

4C Offshore

Full Circle Wind Service’s Livingston hub provides the company with quicker access to major transport links, it says, enabling faster parts delivery and improved responsiveness for turbine servicing across the nation.

Port of Cromarty Firth cleared for £111m expansion

Scottish Construction Now

The Port of Cromarty Firth has welcomed the formal granting of marine and dredge licences by Scottish Ministers for its £111 million Phase 5 expansion project.

Why Berwick Bank could be Scotland’s robotics gold rush

Scottish Business Insider

Industry expert argues the world’s largest offshore wind farm can bring much more besides renewable energy.

Hitachi secures EGL3 converter stations deal

reNews

Hitachi Energy has been named preferred bidder to deliver converter stations for the Eastern Green Link 3 subsea power cable between Scotland and England.

Vattenfall introduces seaweed farms at wind farms

Maritime Journal

Swedish energy giant Vattenfall has enlisted the talents of Samuel L. Jackson to promote seaweed farming amidst the turbines of two of its offshore wind farms.

Offshore substation installed at Inch Cape

Energy Global

The Inch Cape offshore wind farm offshore jacket foundation and substation platform have been installed at the North Sea site of this flagship 1.1 GW Scottish project.