Fund worth £4.5m announced to help manufacturers exploit offshore wind

The first funding call, supported by programme partner RenewableUK, is valued at up to £2.5m and has been designed to support SMEs with their capital investment plans. Through partnership with the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, a second fast-track fund totalling £2m has also been made available to help SMEs and large enterprises accelerate investment in innovation projects. Both calls are seeking applications from English companies that can use the funding over the next six months. Applications will be assessed on "their ability to create jobs and develop market presence in the offshore wind supply chain", with 'expression of interest' applications to be submitted by 15 October 2014. Successful applicants must complete their projects by 30 April 2015. Dominic Brown, head of GROW:OffshoreWind, said: "We are excited about the potential of both calls to help us connect with English companies and fast track their investment plans. "By streamlining the approvals process, the calls will enable companies to commence their investment plans by early November, ensuring they are in the best possible position to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there. "Up to £500k of grant funding is available for successful applicants, which can be used to support a wide variety of project costs." The GROW:OffshoreWind programme is supported by the Government's Regional Growth Fund and is delivered by industry experts from the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), RenewableUK (RUK), Grant Thornton and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. The service has been designed to make sure English companies are in a position to take advantage, with almost 600 firms helped with successful projects, including the acquisition of machinery, relocation to new premises and unlocking new technologies and products.