
In response to the challenges faced by offshore renewable energy industries, accelerating innovation to market is critical in supporting the operation of offshore assets and reducing the cost of energy.
The Technology Development Centre provides dedicated expertise and support services which serves as a critical bridge between early-stage innovation and commercial readiness.
Located at our world-class National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, this £6.3m facility hosts a number of testing assets which are specifically designed to support SMEs and technology developers in de-risking and accelerating their products for the offshore renewable energy market.
Officially opened in 2025 by North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness and funded by the North East Strategic Mayoral Authority (£2m), the Blyth Town Deal (£2m), Innovate UK (£1.3m) and ORE Catapult (£1m), the Technology Development Centre provides an environment where disruptive technologies can be tested in real-world conditions.

The two-storey facility houses a suite of unique testing and validation assets tailored for small-to-medium businesses and their systems, including:
1MW Drivetrain Test Rig
Dedicated to evaluating rotating machine components and power conversion systems
Mini eGrid System
Allows clients to test and certify electrical compliance against any global grid standard
100kW Test Rig
Designed specifically for early-stage proof-of-concept work and smaller subsystems
Tribology Laboratory
Focused on improving the longevity and performance of critical components in extreme environments

© 2026 ORE Catapult.
A powerfully good website by Agent.