ORE Catapult announce £2.1 million testing facility

A multi-million-pound investment is set to bolster the North East’s reputation as a leader in offshore wind innovation.

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, in partnership with the North East Combined Authority, has announced a £2.1 million project to develop a state-of-the-art high-voltage cable testing facility in Blyth.

Officials say the funding will enable the construction of a bespoke testing rig designed to expose offshore wind cables to extreme voltages and currents, simulating real-world conditions such as burial, ducting and submersion in salt water.

They add the facility is expected to accelerate production timelines, cut costs and improve reliability across the offshore wind supply chain.

At present, high-voltage testing of this kind can take up to two years, with no dedicated facilities currently available in the UK.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness said: “We are making the North East the home of the green energy revolution and I am pleased we are funding projects like this amazing new offshore wind cable testing rig in Blyth to make this a reality for local people. 

“This will be the only facility like this in the UK – underpinning the North East’s status as the UK’s leading region for clean energy.

“We are funding innovation, skills and infrastructure needed to deliver our mission and provide thousands more high-quality jobs in clean energy. 

“This new testing facility will be a great regional resource, helping to boost safety and skills in the offshore sector.”

Alex Neumann, ORE Catapult’s chief engineer in HV Electrical, added: “This development forms the next step of our plan to ensure ORE Catapult’s Blyth facility remains at the cutting edge of testing – enabling the rapid growth and expansion of the offshore wind technology we need to see in the coming years. 

“By investing in this new facility and ensuring it links up with the high voltage, mechanical and materials test laboratories we already operate, we can help cable system designers and manufacturers develop products faster. 

“This will also galvanise local and national supply chain companies to grasp the economic prize on offer within the UK offshore wind cable technology market.” 

The facility, set to open at the end of 2026, will support manufacturers across the UK and internationally, with JDR Cable Systems confirmed as the first company to use the new rig.

James Young, chief strategy and compliance officer at JDR Cable Systems, added: “We’re proud to be the first partner to collaborate with ORE Catapult on this new high-voltage cable testing facility in Blyth. 

“The investment marks an important step in strengthening the UK’s capability to test and qualify next-generation offshore wind cable systems domestically.

“It’s also a milestone for the UK offshore wind sector, enabling faster development and qualification of advanced cable technologies that will power the industry’s next phase of growth. 

“At JDR, we see this as a natural extension of our commitment to innovation and to building a resilient UK supply chain that supports the rapid expansion of offshore wind energy both in the UK and globally.”

Development of next-generation offshore wind cables represents a £19 billion opportunity for the UK over the next decade. 

The North East is already a key player in the sector, home to more than 550 renewable energy businesses and around 17,000 employees – a figure expected to grow to 24,000 by 2035.

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