A London company which has designed a new type of “low-risk, low-cost, multi-gigawatt” offshore wind turbine has relocated to the East midlands.
Offshore Wind Logistics and Construction (OWLC) has moved to a new home in the Advanced Technology Innovation Centre on the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP).
The team behind the business hope the move will allow it to share innovation and ideas with other companies based there.
OWLC was set up as a disrupter to the renewable energy market with the aim of building, operating and maintaining a new type of wind turbine which it says has almost no environmental impact.
It says its Gravity Tripod system can offer lower costs thanks to an innovative concrete foundation which can be mass produced and dropped in place without the need for piling.
The system, which is suitable for various seabeds, is also said to have a potential lifespan of up to a century.
The business also has a consulting arm providing expert support to clients such as turbine owners, developers, suppliers, insurers and certification bodies.
Director Matt Bleasdale said: “We're using ATIC as our headquarters – all demonstration project planning, market entry activities, commercial discussions, partnership building, and future innovation will be happening here.
“Choosing LUSEP made sense – it’s an excellent location with a vibrant cluster and strong innovation ties, making it an invaluable professional environment.
“And, we’ve already derived significant value from being in a like-minded, highly innovative environment.”
Loughborough University chief financial officer and LUSEP lead Alex Owen said: “OWLC are a valuable addition to LUSEP’s largest and most established cluster, energy and low carbon, which encompasses early-stage to global organisations, co-located with the University’s world-leading capabilities in net zero and sustainability.
“With its distinctive added value of the University’s knowledge base and high calibre graduate workforce, I am confident that LUSEP will be a supportive base for OWLC to flourish.
“I wish them every success.”
