Global Underwater Hub (GUH) and Scottish Enterprise (SE) have formed a partnership to enhance supply chain opportunities in the rapidly growing floating offshore wind sector. The two entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Subsea Expo 2025, aiming to establish a subsea supply chain ecosystem that will serve as a global "centre of excellence" for floating offshore wind.
The MoU's main objective is to capitalize on the economic potential of the floating offshore wind industry, which is projected to witness significant global growth. Additionally, the partnership aims to facilitate the transition of the UK's oil and gas underwater sector supply chain into the floating offshore wind sector.
The subsea supply chain ecosystem will create a collaborative platform for Scottish subsea companies to enhance their capabilities and capacity, allowing them to seize opportunities in the floating offshore wind market. This market is estimated to be worth £1 trillion globally and £270 billion domestically.
GUH and SE will work together to harness the innovative and economic opportunities presented by floating offshore wind. They will identify and bring together companies, organizations, facilities, resources, and expertise that can support the growth of the floating offshore wind industry in the UK and internationally.
The partnership will also focus on identifying gaps in the UK's underwater supply chain capability, infrastructure, resources, and expertise relative to the needs of the floating offshore wind market. Targeted support will be provided to fill these gaps, with a particular focus on subsea cable systems, moorings and anchoring, and underwater operations and maintenance.
Neil Gordon, GUH's chief executive, emphasized the massive opportunities that the growth of floating offshore wind presents for the underwater supply chain. He noted that ScotWind alone represents £28 billion in development, manufacturing, and installation opportunities, with an additional £33 billion from operations and maintenance over the full life of a wind farm. Gordon added that the combination of GUH's industry-specific insight and knowledge with Scottish Enterprise's resources and support will ensure that the right support is targeted at the right companies at the right time.
Suzanne Sosna, Scottish Enterprise's director for energy transition, echoed Gordon's sentiments, stating that their vision is for Scotland to be recognized worldwide as a centre of excellence for offshore wind, with world-leading supply chains in terms of value, competitiveness, and service. She emphasized the importance of collaborative working for the future success of the sector and noted that the MoU ensures that they will work closely with GUH to maximize opportunities for supply chain companies.
The Subsea Expo, GUH's flagship three-day conference and exhibition, attracts 6,000 visitors and showcases the latest in subsea innovation and technology.
