SCORE project manager Rob Bush (photo: SCORE)

A grants programme helping the expanding offshore renewable energy industry in the UK East has passed an GBP 800,000 milestone.

The GBP 6 million SCORE fund supports companies developing new ideas, technologies, business solutions and efficiencies that benefit the sector.

A year after it switched into action, it is celebrating making more than 20 grants worth GBP 800,000 to projects worth more than GBP 2 million.

They range from GBP 2,700 to the maximum GBP 50,000 and cover a wide spectrum of work from recruitment consultants and Oil & Gas companies diversifying into renewables, to cutting edge turbine technology and an innovative new radio system.

Grants have helped companies progress projects including a new turbine blade repair system, pioneering turbine technology , improved ship fenders, and paramedics who double as technicians. Some of the SCORE projects are already seeing big interest from a number of the major companies operating in this dynamic sector.

SCORE project manager Rob Bush says, “It has been a great year that has showcased the highly innovative and skilled companies that are working in this exciting sector across the region where it will have a major impact for at least the next two decades. We are thrilled with the wide variety of companies involved from literally a couple of people in a shed to high-end tech companies developing cutting edge robotic vehicles.”

He encouraged other companies with ideas and processes that they felt could help the offshore renewables sector to contact SCORE about grant and business support.

SCORE offers grants to help companies across England to develop new products, processes and ideas which bring economic benefit to the East of England.

Grants are available to start-up and established companies for up to 40% of eligible costs or GBP 50,000, whichever is the lower, with a minimum grant of GBP 2,500.

The programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is open to companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than 50 million euros.

The funding is designed to help companies in a wide range of areas, including research and development, collaboration with universities and research bodies, securing patents, acquiring specialist equipment or services and investigating the commercial viability of processes and technologies.

Companies can also access up to 12hrs of subsidised business support from regional enterprise agency Nwes to help grow and develop their business.

The current programme is delivered by Nwes, the largest enterprise agency in the UK and in partnership with, energy industry experts Nautilus Associates and the national Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult centre.

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