UK marine energy supply chain gets online support

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has launched an interactive digital portal to support the development of the UK’s growing marine energy supply chain and facilitate better engagement between buyers and sellers.

The Marine Energy Supply Chain Gateway (MESCG), supported by funding from Scottish Enterprise, RenewableUK, and the Welsh Government, draws together regional supplier databases into a UK-wide information source.

It provides a practical resource for new market entrants, aiming to put buyers in touch with sellers and making sure that organisations that need products and services can find the companies that can supply them.

The MESCG offers:

• UK-wide supplier directory offering greater visibility of organisations offering capability in the marine energy sector,
• Information to help potential new entrants to the marine supply chain make sound business decisions on how they can best participate in the sector,
• Fast and effective national search and discovery function.

Simon Cheeseman, Wave and Tidal Sector Lead for ORE Catapult, said: “For the first time, we have an effective method of bringing together UK-wide information on the marine energy supply chain. MESCG provides ease of access to an informed and engaged supplier base and fosters cross-sector cooperation.

“It raises the visibility of supply chain companies to the global market and also offers a level of sector familiarisation for those wishing to diversify into the sector. All this allows us to exploit national opportunities for supply chain development, increased productivity and job creation.”

In constructing the portal, ORE Catapult worked with data suppliers, owners and users across the sector, building key partnerships with UK trade organisations including the funding partners and RegenSW, Invest Northern Ireland, Scottish Renewables and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.