Offshore Wind Connections 2019 has been launched as the growth potential for UK businesses is boosted with an historic sector deal.

Energy giant innogy, which is the conference’s diamond sponsor, says the long-awaited Offshore Wind Sector Deal, which was announced by the government on March 7, is a game changer for UK content.

Taking place in Hull on May 1 and 2, the high-profile industry event organised by Team Humber Marine Alliance, will attract hundreds of delegates from the region, the UK and abroad. It is anticipated to be the first major industry conference since the deal was revealed.

Now in its 7th year, Offshore Wind Connections (OWC) is viewed as essential for the supply chain due to the high-level networking opportunities, speaker profiles and panel sessions.

The headline sponsorship by innogy, which is leading the development of Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm, coincides with the project heading into its most intensive phase of activity. Onshore works are already well underway, while offshore construction is due to the begin in early 2020, with first generation in 2021. Triton Knoll will be one of the largest offshore wind farms in Europe and is to be located 20 miles off the Lincolnshire coast, providing ongoing opportunities for regional and UK businesses.

innogy is joined by platinum sponsors Aura, Burns McDonnell, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Orsted.

CEO of Team Humber Marine Alliance Mark O’Reilly said that the conference had added significance following the deal.

“The deal will unlock enormous investment in the supply chain so OWC 2019 will have even more relevance in its capacity as a platform to bring companies at all levels of the sector together, which include some of the most established and innovative skills providers such as HFR Solutions, HOTA, HETA, Modal Training and CATCH.”

Julian Garnsey, Triton Knoll project director, said: “Offshore wind is already a UK success story. We have installed more capacity than any other country, and offshore wind farms like our state-of-the-art Triton Knoll are increasingly becoming the backbone of the UK’s energy network.

“The recently confirmed Offshore Wind Sector Deal represents a fantastic opportunity for development and growth in the UK as the industry looks to deliver over 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.

“At innogy, our portfolio of offshore wind farms will play a significant part in helping deliver this capacity, and we look forward to exploring these opportunities with the supply chain in the Humber and beyond at the Offshore Wind Connections conference.”

Mark O’Reilly added: “Eighty per cent of all North Sea offshore wind farms are on our doorstep, while our proximity to more than half of Europe’s offshore wind projects means the Humber is uniquely placed to capitalise on the immense opportunities which will arise as a result of the sector deal, creating even more jobs and economic wealth for the region.

“Over the last seven years since we launched OWC, we’ve seen start-up companies thrive and many traditional companies successfully diversify, but the sector deal will accelerate investment in this highly competitive and innovative sector.

“This year’s conference will be vitally important in bringing the people behind these incredible companies and projects together to share up-to-the-minute knowledge and discuss the details of this deal.”

Other sponsors of the event include RSM and Mapa PR. It is also being supported by Green Port Hull, and through partnerships with RenewableUK and Grimsby Renewables Partnership.