Port of Tyne and Equinor announce partnership with North East Energy Catalyst network

Two prominent companies in the North East have been announced as partners of a region-wide energy innovation initiative.

The Port of Tyne and Equinor have become partners in the North East Energy Catalyst network, which is facilitated by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The Catalyst was originally established in 2019 in a bid to to invite and co-ordinate engagement with industry and business, promoting North East opportunities to diversify, commercialise new solutions and deliver regional growth and employment across the energy sector.

Offshore innovator Equinor is part of the joint venture behind the world’s biggest offshore wind farm Dogger Bank. It recently announced plans to build a new Operations and Maintenance (O&M) base at the Port of Tyne.

Tom Nightingale, North East stakeholder manager at Equinor, commented: “We are delighted to become part of the North East Energy Catalyst’s partner network, joining the region’s leading energy innovators.

“The broad range of assets and organisations we can access presents exciting opportunities for collaboration and research in offshore wind and the wider energy space.

“The Catalyst aims to solve innovation challenges and support the development of the offshore wind industry in the UK and beyond, aligning with our goals as a developer with offshore wind activities globally.

Dr Jo North, technology and transformation director at the Port of Tyne, explained: “Having collaborated with the North East Energy Catalyst in several exciting and beneficial ventures, the Port of Tyne is delighted to cement this relationship by joining the Energy Catalyst Partner Network.

“The North East Energy Catalyst acts as a conduit for collaborative partnership development, bringing organisations together to work towards shared visions and goals.”

David Lynch, energy innovation partnership manager at the North East LEP, added: “Both Port of Tyne and Equinor are at the forefront of the offshore wind revolution and play a pivotal role in our shared goal of creating a green and resilient economy, as well as reaching our target of net zero emissions.

“Along with our other key partners, we are delighted to welcome Port of Tyne and Equinor to the North East Energy Catalyst.”