Opportunity knocks for Cornish businesses

Businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly wanting to learn more about opportunities in the growing marine offshore renewables (MOR) sector are being invited to an industry event in October. Called ‘MOR Opportunity Knocks’, it will focus on how businesses can tap into a market that could be worth £4.5 billion to the South West economy by 20301.

The far South West is home to unique testing facilities and academic expertise that is already attracting marine energy developers from around the world keen to test and deploy renewable electricity generation devices in the region.

The event will look at the opportunities created by offshore developments, and how businesses can get involved. It will include a range of speakers and industry experts, giving delegates the opportunity to speak to representatives of the Crown Estate, technology developers and other key businesses within the marine energy industry.
Andrew Williams, renewable energy lead on the board of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Marine renewable energy is a global opportunity for our economy and there are already many businesses and organisations in the region that are exporting their services and expertise around the world.

“We want to ensure that businesses are aware of the opportunities that already exist and those that are emerging, both here and overseas. Recent investment in testing and research facilities, especially in Cornwall and Plymouth, put us in pole position to capitalise on a dynamic and growing sector that plays to our marine and engineering strengths.”

Cornwall and Plymouth already have a globally competitive offer in marine renewables, as a result of first class test facilities available including Plymouth University’s COAST Lab, Exeter University’s FabTest and the Wave Hub test sites in Cornwall. These facilities are supported by world leading researchers from the University of Exeter and Plymouth University.

MOR Opportunity Knocks is being jointly hosted by the Offshore Renewable Development Programme (ORDP), the universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Cornwall Marine Network, The MOR Group and Channel MOR.

The free event is being held on Wednesday 1st October from 8.30 am to 1pm at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth. To book visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mor-opportunity-knocks-for-cornwall-busin...