Three Welsh companies have been selected for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s first Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) programme in Wales.

The three companies that were selected to take part in the F4OR programme are Ledwood Mechanical Engineering, Mainstay Marine Solutions, and CELSA Steel UK.

The 12-18 month programme will be delivered by ORE Catapult, in partnership with Floventis Energy, the developer of Ll?r 1 and 2 offshore wind farms in the Celtic Sea, and is designed to support local companies bidding for work in the floating offshore wind industry.

“This is the first time that our F4OR programme has been tailored exclusively for the floating wind market, and F4OR Wales has been designed to give businesses the skills and expertise to deliver success in this rapidly growing sector,” said Davood Sabaei, F4OR project manager at ORE Catapult.

Cardiff-based CELSA is a producer of circular and low-emission steel, which recycles ferrous scrap to produce steel in electric arc furnaces, using energy-efficient technology. The programme will allow the company to develop expertise in the renewable energy sector and is now preparing to supply materials, fabrication, and installation services as part of the floating offshore wind supply chain.

Mainstay Marine Solutions is based in Pembroke Dock and offers boat building, engineering, and marine services. Their facilities include workshops, new build halls, a wet basin, five slipways, and a 160t hoist, and their 65-strong team includes naval architects, engineers, welders, fabricators, fitters, and painters.

Also based in Pembroke Dock, Ledwood Mechanical Engineering employs 250 and provides mechanical and fabrication services to the energy and petrochemical sectors.

“We’re delighted that so many great companies took the time to apply for the programme and look forward to working with Ledwood, Celsa and Mainstay Marine on the F4OR programme over the coming months to prepare them for forthcoming opportunities in the Celtic Sea and beyond,” said Cian Conroy, Head of Project Development UK & Ireland for Floventis Energy.

“Plans for future F4OR Wales cohorts are already in the pipeline and further details will be announced in the coming months.”

To date, five F4OR regional programmes have been delivered in the North East of Scotland, North East of England, East Anglia and Suffolk, alongside national programmes run across Scotland and UK-wide. 

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