North East England has played a central role in offshore wind since the UK’s first turbines were erected off the coast of Blyth in 2000.
And for the last 15 years, the region has been championed by Energi Coast – one of eight UK offshore wind clusters. Run by NOF, it works to showcase supply chain capabilities and promote North East England as a key hub for servicing the UK and international offshore wind markets.
Now the sector – and the region – are entering an exciting phase, with new strategic direction… and major opportunities on the horizon.
Stepping up to lead Energi Coast into this new era is Tom Nightingale, Local Supply Chain Manager (UK) for Equinor’s Power Business, who was appointed Energi Coast Chair in the summer and replaced the outgoing Tony Quinn.
Here, Tom talks to us about his new role, the evolution of offshore wind, the region’s 10 Year Vision and Strategy, emerging technologies and what lies ahead for the cluster.
What excites you the most about taking the lead as Energi Coast Chair?
I was delighted to take on the role of Chair. I had been working closely with Tony Quinn as Deputy Chair, so it felt like a natural progression.
It is a great time to step into the role as this is a pivotal moment for the sector. The Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan is helping to guide investment priorities, while developers are making an increased contribution to supply chain development and skills nationally. We also have committed local mayors who understand the economic opportunity that offshore wind presents, as well as a new strategy for the region – the 10 Year Vision and Strategy for North East England Offshore Wind.
Tell us about your journey in the energy sector…
I grew up in Leeds and came to Newcastle to study at Northumbria University. When I left university, I joined Duco, a subsea umbilical manufacturing company, which is now part of TechnipFMC. At the time, I thought of it simply as a product manufacturer and did not fully appreciate that it was a global exporter of oil and gas products.
My passion has always been for the supply chain. In the businesses I worked for before Equinor, my focus was on supporting local companies to grow and expand. Even now that I work on the developer side, my role involves working with local supply chains: that is definitely where my heart lies.
What have been the most significant evolutionary steps for the offshore wind industry?
The UK sector has benefited from strong Government support over the years, including the introduction of the Contracts for Difference scheme in 2014. People tell us that the UK is one of the best places in the world in which to invest in offshore wind and I have seen the growth that this support has enabled.
In North East England, one of the most significant developments has been the growth of major Tier 1 contractors. That helps to build a sustainable, competitive supply chain for the long term and attracts more suppliers at lower tiers. We have excellent examples in the region, including Smulders, Siemens, JDR, SeAH and Able Seaton Port.
Having developers based here, or using the region’s assets, also makes a major difference. More developers are recognising the strength of the region and the contribution it can make to delivering their projects.
How has the offshore wind sector in North East England changed over your career?
Blyth Offshore Wind Farm opened while I was at Northumbria University which was 25 years ago. Next year, I will celebrate 25 years working in energy, so I have had the benefit of seeing the region evolve considerably over that period!
Major new facilities have opened and established suppliers have transitioned from oil and gas into offshore wind. We’ve seen leasing rounds, the development of Dogger Bank Wind Farm off our coast, investment in ports, and operations and maintenance activity coming to the region.
We’ve really evolved over the last 25 years and that has ensured we’re still the home of offshore wind, both here in the UK and globally.
What impact will the 10 Year Vision and Strategy for North East England Offshore Wind have, and why was its publication earlier this year so significant?
The 10 Year Vision and Strategy is important because it sets us on a shared path as a region, with a mission to build and strengthen the UK offshore wind sector further.
We are also the only offshore wind cluster in the UK with our own 10-year strategy, which shows where we are as a region. The strategy builds on the excellent work that has already taken place here and creates a foundation for even more collaboration and growth.
In your opinion, what are the most exciting new frontiers in offshore wind?
I am always excited by anything that pushes the boundaries of projects. In the past, that included increasing turbine sizes, new vessels and the arrival of gigawatt-scale projects. Now, deep-water solutions are becoming increasingly important as the sector moves into deeper waters.
My background is in cables, so I’m the ‘cable guy’ – anything electrical is exciting to me! We have seen significant advances in high-voltage direct current technology, monitoring and dynamic cable applications, and many of those innovations are happening here in North East England.
Artificial intelligence and digital solutions are also becoming more and more important. As in many other sectors, it will be interesting to see how their impact grows over time.
Offshore Wind North East, organised by NOF, is coming up in a few weeks’ time. What role does the event play in bringing the supply chain together, and why should businesses attend?
Offshore Wind North East is the UK’s biggest offshore wind cluster event. No other region in the UK has such a large annual event dedicated to offshore wind.
Its purpose is to demonstrate all of the fantastic suppliers, projects and people in the region. It also attracts visitors from all over the UK.
It’s another great example of how Energi Coast brings the industry together, facilitates discussions on the latest trends and highlights how offshore wind can help reindustrialise North East England and other regions across the UK.
What is on the horizon for Energi Coast?
One of the most exciting opportunities is Leasing Round 6, which will be focused on capacity off the coast of North East England. The process starts next year. It is a major focus within the 10 Year Vision and Strategy and anchors many of the activities we want to deliver.
Those activities are centred around supply chain development, skills, innovation and infrastructure, building on the excellent work already taking place across the region. Energi Coast’s role is to amplify the opportunity and help secure as much of the opportunity as possible for North East England over the coming years. That will be a major focus for us.
For more information on Energi Coast, visit energicoast.co.uk