Companies in North East England can now access a new multi-million pound programme designed to accelerate technology and commercial development for the offshore renewable energy sector.

The North East Offshore Wind Innovation and Demonstration (NEOWIND) programme funded by the North East Mayor, and delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, will inject £4.5 million over three years into the local economy. The funding will support innovative offshore wind companies across Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle upon Tyne, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland, and County Durham.

The first competitive funding launch of the programme is now live with up to £2.1 million available for innovative offshore wind technology developers to bid for.

Andrew Macdonald, Director of Business Development at ORE Catapult, said: “NEOWIND capitalises on the success and ambition of North East England, providing more funding for companies that are developing technologies paving the way to Clean Power, and delivering local economic benefit.

 “We are excited to tap into the talent within this region to address the challenges currently facing the industry, support companies develop, de-risk and accelerate new offshore renewable technologies – reducing cost, risk and time, and working alongside the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.

 “ORE Catapult experts will provide technical support and connect the companies with industry end users, which will support their innovations, and help to make them a commercial reality. We look forward to working with our industry partners, businesses and educational institutions across the region to provide a strong ecosystem for growth and success.”

 The NEOWIND programme will be funded until March 2029 by the North East Mayor.

 Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said: “The North East has the skills, expertise and ambition to lead the green energy revolution. NEOWIND will help local businesses bring new technologies to market, creating jobs and bringing investment into our region.

 “My priority is making sure the transition to clean energy delivers real benefits for local people. This programme will help create opportunities for North East workers, support growing businesses and ensure communities across our region share in the rewards of this expanding industry.”

 NEOWIND is sponsored by industry leaders, Equinor and Morven Offshore Wind Farm.

Andrew Saunders, Operational Readiness Manager at Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm, Equinor, said: “We are proud to launch and offer our subsequent support of the NEOWIND programme and are excited to see how North East businesses continue to develop and provide innovative solutions to the offshore wind industry. Through our support of the TIGGOR programme over the last six years, we saw great benefit to the North Tyne region in terms of jobs, apprenticeships, products, projects and business growth, and look forward to even greater successes over the wider North East region now accessible to NEOWIND applicants.”

Tom Hudson, Project Director, Morven Offshore Wind Ltd, added: “Morven is proud to support the launch of the NEOWIND programme. Innovation is critical to delivering offshore wind at the scale and pace needed to meet the UK’s energy ambitions.

“With its strong industrial heritage and world-class engineering expertise, the North East is well placed to drive the next wave of offshore wind advancements. We are delighted to be part of the NEOWIND collaboration and look forward to seeing the ideas, technologies and proposals that emerge through the programme, and the impact they can have in strengthening the UK’s offshore wind sector.”

 The opportunity for offshore renewable energy development in North East England is high due to projects such as Dogger Bank, the forthcoming Offshore Wind Leasing Round 6 in the North Sea, and a high concentration of world-leading companies in offshore engineering, manufacturing, subsea technology and technical consultancy services across the region.

Additional partners in the NEOWIND programme include Port of Blyth, Port of Tyne, Port of Sunderland, Newcastle University, Durham University, Northumbria University, Business Northumberland and Business North Tyneside. The programme is also supported by Energi Coast Innovation Group.

For further information and to apply for the first round of NEOWIND funding, click here. The closing date for applications is 3 September 2026.

A launch event for the NEOWIND programme will be held in Newcastle on Wednesday 29 July – register early as spaces are limited.