Newsletter – November 2025
November 30, 2025Newsletter – January 2026
January 23, 2026
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.
As we approach the end of 2025, we’re reflecting with gratitude on almost one year since the launch of The Clean Energy Cluster. Since our launch, we’ve been proud to grow and support Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain community, representing organisations from across the country. This year, the cluster has launched a series of regional roundtables, allowing us to engage with and learn from our members and others in the sector. We’ve attended and supported events across Scotland and have worked hard to find our voice and establish the cluster as the backbone of the country’s offshore wind supply chain.
Most importantly, a big thank you to all our members, partners and supporters. Your engagement, feedback and participation are what make the cluster thrive. We’re grateful for every conversation, collaboration and insight shared this year and we can’t wait to reveal our plans for 2026. There’s so much more to build together as we work towards a resilient, competitive and connected offshore wind supply chain for Scotland.
If you would like to feature your news, events, initiatives and procurement opportunities in our newsletter, please email us with the details: [email protected].
Wishing everyone a restful holiday season and a successful year ahead.
Oppertunities
Aberdeen City Council External Funding Opportunities
Aberdeen City Council has published its External Funding Newsletter for December 2025, highlighting a wide range of current grant opportunities designed to support community groups, not-for-profit organisations, local authorities and local businesses.
Available funding streams include Youth Activity Grants of up to £2,000, with applications accepted year-round and activities to be completed by March 2026. Community-focused grants, like the Corra Foundation Boost Small Grant, offer £500 – £3,000 for projects addressing poverty and disadvantage, while environmental and biodiversity initiatives can access small grants for green space improvements. A local sustainable travel funding pilot also supports cycle infrastructure and active travel projects with grants up to £5,000.
Thistle Wind Partners Tender: Expression of Interest – Environmental Services
Thistle Wind Partners is seeking market interest and capability from environmental services providers to support the development and consenting of both the Ayre and Bowdun offshore wind projects in Scotland.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) invites suppliers capable of delivering a range of environmental support services, with the requirement structured into discrete lots, giving bidders the flexibility to apply for one or multiple scopes of work. Companies with expertise in ecological assessment, habitat surveys, marine and terrestrial environmental planning or related environmental services are encouraged to express interest. The estimated tender delivery is January 16.
Great British Energy Strategic Plan
Great British Energy (GBE) has published its first Strategic Plan, outlining how the UK’s publicly owned energy company will accelerate clean energy growth.
By 2030, GBE aims to deliver at least 15GW of clean energy generation and storage, mobilise £15 billion of private investment, support 1,000+ community energy projects and help create 10,000 jobs across the UK. The plan also includes a £1 billion “Energy, Engineered in the UK” programme to grow domestic supply chains and ensure benefits are reinvested into further clean energy capacity. GBE’s portfolio is designed to be income-generating by 2030, with returns reinvested to drive continued expansion and support regional economic growth.
Read the full Strategic Plan on the GBE website.
Where We Have Been
UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain Spotlight | December 11, Edinburgh
The Clean Energy Cluster was pleased to attend and exhibit at the UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain Spotlight 2025 on December 11 at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh. This annual event, co-hosted by ORE Catapult and the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership, brought together senior industry leaders, policymakers, investors and leading UK supply chain companies to showcase innovation, explore new opportunities and tackle challenges across the offshore wind sector.
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us at the event and look forward to continuing the conversations sparked there as we work together to strengthen the UK’s offshore wind supply chain. We’re always keen to keep the conversation going — if you want to contribute your insights on what drives innovation and collaboration in your part of the supply chain, let us know.
Contact us to express interest in future roundtables or for any other queries.
Upcoming Events
Offshore Wind Conference | January 28–29, Glasgow
Scottish Renewables is bringing its flagship Offshore Wind Conference back to Glasgow on January 28 & 29. This two-day event will convene industry leaders, government and key stakeholders to tackle the major barriers to offshore wind development and scale-up of the Scottish and UK supply chain.
Book your exhibition tickets and find out more on Scottish Renewables’ website.
UK Trade and Export Finance Forum | February 5, London
The UK Trade and Export Finance Forum 2026 is a premier event for UK exporters and international corporates seeking finance. Scheduled for February 5 at the InterContinental Hotel London – The O2, this forum offers a full day of presentations, case studies, panels, workshops and networking opportunities. Attendees can engage with finance and business leaders to explore the latest developments in export and trade finance.
To register and find out more, visit the official event page.
Member Updates
Sumitomo Electric to supply and install 525 kV HVDC cable
Cable Technology News
Sumitomo Electric has secured a contract with National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC for the supply and installation of a 140km HVDC cable for the Sea Link project between Kent and Suffolk.
Thistle Wind Partners files Bowdun onshore plans
reNews
Thistle Wind Partners has submitted a planning permission in principle application to Aberdeenshire Council, including the landfall near Benholm, underground cable corridor, onshore substation and a proposed connection to the planned Hurlie substation at Fetteresso Forest.
News
Schroders Greencoat acquires stake in UK hydrogen developer Meld Energy
H2 View
Meld Energy’s main project is the Saltend Green Hydrogen Hub in Hull — a 100MW hydrogen plant worth £250m. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council approved the hub last year.
UK firm awarded work on three German offshore grid projects
4C Offshore
Enshore Subsea, headquartered in County Durham, will collaborate with Nexans and TenneT to lay sections of the submarine cable system in the Wadden Sea for BalWin3, LanWin2 and LanWin4, with operations slated to begin in 2027, 2029 and 2030 respectively.
LiveLink radar tech completes Aberdeen wind test
reNews
LiveLink Aerospace has completed a demonstration of its passive air defence radar technology on turbines at Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm in collaboration with Vattenfall and ORE Catapult.
Marine engineer hails record order after £7 million-plus deal
B Daily
Tekmar Group is set to supply cable protection equipment to a UK offshore wind farm, with the deal contributing to a record £29 million order book for the firm.
First Global Wind Organisation training centre opens in Manchester
Energy Voice
Manchester’s first dedicated Global Wind Organisation (GWO) training centre has opened, aiming to tackle the skills gap in the offshore wind sector across the region.
Thousands of Fife jobs pledge as Forth Green Freeport gets UK Government sign-off
Fife Today
The UK Government has approved the full business case for the Forth Green Freeport, unlocking £25 million in seed capital funding and paving the way for transformative investment across the Forth Corridor.
UK firms unveil ‘world’s first’ diesel-to-electric offshore wind vessel
4C Offshore
The “e-Ginny” retrofit announcement comes as Tidal Transit joins the Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs), bringing its operational experience into ZESTAs’ network as it advances its shift toward zero-emission offshore operations.
UK wind firms share £2.4m funding pot for supply chain growth
4C Offshore
The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has allocated £2.4 million to nine companies in the UK supply chain, with the aim of boosting their capabilities and expanding the industry’s capacity.
