On November 12, the offshore wind sector will converge on the Beacon of Light in Sunderland for Offshore Wind North East, one of the highlights of the industry’s calendar.
And the event, which is organised by NOF, comes at a crucial time for the sector.
As well as exhibiting, we’ll be at OWNE as NOF’s Event Marketing Partner, reporting on conference sessions which will discuss new projects, vessel innovations, port collaboration, access to finance and much more.
And one of the hottest topics this year will be Leasing Round 6, set for official launch in the first half of 2027. The Crown Estate has plans to open up 6GW of additional capacity in sites predominantly off the coast of North East England. What does this mean? A forecasted creation of up to 10,000 direct jobs and a potential economic boost to the UK of over £12 billion.
It also means opportunities for suppliers who want to engage with the developers, contractors and OEMS who will be launching new projects and programmes.
The sector already received a huge boost when in January, a record 8.4GW of offshore wind was procured in Allocation Round 7. This was Europe’s biggest ever offshore wind auction.
Leasing Round 6 is another major step forward.
So if you are a disruptor with a game-changing innovation, or an established engineering company with transferable capabilities, it’s time to examine how your marketing can put your business in pole position for offshore wind’s new era.
Here are six key areas you need to consider:
Start with strategy
A scattergun approach won’t cut it in a complex, multi-faceted sector like offshore wind.
Be clear on your objectives and build a marketing strategy that aligns with them. Meticulously research your target audiences, competitors and the market landscape you are engaging with.
Build a roadmap which will help you forge a path to success, outlining priority tactics, campaigns and how you’ll measure ROI.
Click here for strategic support.
Prove it
Developers and Tier 1s don’t simply need to know that you want offshore wind work. They need evidence that you can deliver it.
That means your messaging must convey your capability, capacity, track record, quality and investment.
If you are transferring capabilities from sectors such as oil & gas, automotive or the process industry, articulate relevant experience. How have you solved challenges, shortened project timescales or helped your clients create safer working environments? You need to educate the offshore wind sector on this.
Case studies, testimonials and technical papers can all be employed to demonstrate your track record. Educate your audience.
Align with industry ambitions
The Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan was launched in 2024 by RenewableUK, the Offshore Wind Industry Council, The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland.
And it provides a roadmap to the future of offshore wind in the UK, prioritising building more capacity in advanced turbine technology, industrialised foundations and substructures, future electrical systems and cables, smart environmental services and next-generation installation, operations and maintenance
There’s a strong opportunity to position your proposition around these fields. Read the plan and map out where your business sits within it.
Made in Britain counts
Following AR7, the Government stated that £204 million of public investment through the scheme is leveraging £3.4 billion of private investment into British manufacturing, factories and ports. This means successful offshore wind projects will procure the infrastructure for their projects from across the UK’s industrial heartlands.
So if you’re a UK supplier, it’s a good time to communicate your UK manufacturing capability and capacity, the impact you are making in your local community with STEM engagement and employment opportunities, and how you are contributing to supply chain resilience. It will be noticed.
Know your audience
Multinational energy providers, marine contractors, OEMs, engineering consultancies, ports, vessel owners, subsea specialists and more are part of the offshore wind ecosystem.
Who will you be focusing on?
And what matters to them?
It’s vital to understand the challenges and pain points of your key target audiences, and convey how you can support them.
Developers? They need partners and suppliers who can help them reduce capital expenditure without compromising reliability, shorten construction schedules, reduce maintenance costs, lower project risks, simplify installation and accelerate permitting and certification.
Contractors? Think minimising rework, improving safety, optimising logistics and reducing installation time.
These are just two examples. Tailoring your messaging to your target markets is all important.
Learn, connect and collaborate
LinkedIn is a powerful took in gaining visibility in the sector. But it can only take you so far.
One of the UK offshore wind sector’s key strengths is its vibrant ecosystem of membership bodies (NOF, RenewableUK, Global Underwater Hub and Scottish Renewables are examples), and regional clusters, such as Energi Coast, which represents North East England.
These bodies provide multiple opportunities to connect face to face with industry leaders and decision makers, hear project updates, learn from peers and interface with the supply chain.
Exhibiting, networking and presenting are highly effective methods of strengthening profile and credibility, and building those all-important personal relationships.
POWER UP YOUR MARKETING
For many years, we’ve been helping organisations across the renewable and low-carbon energy sector strengthen their market positions, showcase technical capabilities and connect with decision makers.
Major industry players including Tekmar and Atlas Copco Rental UK have drawn on our strategic, creative and content capabilities.
So if you need support in entering the offshore wind sector, or building momentum within it, we’re right here.
Find out more about our work in renewables here.
Contact our team to set up an initial meeting here.
Meet us at Offshore Wind North East
You can discuss your marketing challenges and ambitions with the Horizon Works team at OWNE 2026 at the Beacon Of Light in Sunderland. Find us at our exhibition stand or contact richard@horizon-works.com or 0345 075 5955 to set up a chat ahead of the event.