Energising connections: Offshore For Sure partnership meeting in Breda

Now just over one year into the project, with nearly two years remaining, we have ambitious goals in sight. We aim to demonstrate three offshore energy solutions at sea, build two Digital Twins, develop five business plans towards financial decision stages, and establish a sustainable partnership on education between Belgian and Dutch industries and educators. These activities highlight our joint effort to advance offshore renewable energy in a practical and tangible way.

We were pleased that our new project officer, Ramon Wessel, could join us for the day, allowing everyone to meet him and giving us a chance to share our progress firsthand.

Rijkswaterstaat Offshore Expertise Center, also joined us, opening discussions on a new business case for autonomous power supply for future offshore platforms—an exciting opportunity to leverage innovation for real-world applications.

The benefits of cross-border collaboration have become increasingly clear. While our core technologies are Dutch-based, Belgian partners Ecopower and Parkwind bring their experience in commercial project development to business case assessments. Howest contributes expertise in digital tools, data management, and cybersecurity, while IMDC and Ghent University offer expertise in ecological assessment, computational fluid dynamics, energy modeling, and materials testing.

Energy storage took center stage with masterclasses from UG and FLASC, providing insight into energy market dynamics and the barriers that market uncertainties create for investment in innovative technologies. These sessions highlighted the role energy storage can play in creating a more stable and affordable energy system for the future.

For the first time, our Advisory Board on Education met, hosted by AVANS. The Advisory Board includes educators from AVANS, SCALDA, HZ, Campus Zeeland, AYOP, NedZero, IRO, TKI Offshore Energy, HOWEST, Ghent University, Deftiq and World Class Maintenance. Together, we brainstormed concrete actions for cross-border educational initiatives—ranging from field trips and lab exchanges to masterclasses and shared online courses. This educational collaboration is key to equipping the next generation of professionals with the know-how and skills required to make a running start in offshore renewable energy. Are you interested in joining the next Advisory Board meeting? Please indicate your interest here and we will be in touch with you.

To maximize interaction, we created a program around workshops, breakout sessions, and game formats, encouraging active participation and collaboration across various disciplines. This approach enriched the learning experience and created new connections between partners.

With an overall satisfaction score of 8.2, we look back on a highly productive, fun and engaging partnership meeting. As we move forward, we are excited to continue solving challenges together, creating new cross-border opportunities, and delivering on our joint goals. Watch the video on YouTube for an impression.