Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and Durham University have signed an MOU providing a framework for increased collaboration on areas that include research and innovation, skills development and business engagement designed to support renewables growth in England and the region.
The organizations have worked together for a decade through initiatives such as a match-funded PhD program and research projects.
With Durham University having joined the board of the Blyth based Energy Central Campus (ECC), one delivery vehicle of the partnership will be collaborating to develop the ECC, and specifically the Energy Central Institute delivery model.
“The emergence of three strategic initiatives in the North East make the strengthening of this relationship particularly timely and exciting,” says Tony Quinn, director of technology development at ORE Catapult.
“The recent creation of the North East Combined Authority and its prioritization of offshore wind as a key opportunity; the development of the Energy Central Campus in Blyth, where university input on teaching and research will be crucial, and Durham University’s major strategic Science Transformation Project, all ensure that there couldn’t be a better time for us to align our focuses.”
