The tidal stream industry is in an emerging stage and as such the opportunity to supply blade products and services represents a whole new growth opportunity for composites manufacturers, with the potential for European companies to take first-mover advantage owing to presence of first pilot arrays in European waters.

There is an immediate need to scale the supply chain to deliver tidal turbines blades in sufficient numbers for these first commercial projects.

Within MAXBLADE, a review is being carried out of the current capability of the composite sector to scale to meet this ambition including consideration of how European capacity matches up with international competitors and what policy and support mechanisms can support industry expansion.

The focus is on identifying frameworks consisting of micro-economic factors that provide the level of detail required to shape and influence supply chain competitiveness of the European sustainable energy technology sector at a national level.

The consortium has engaged with a number of prospective European blade suppliers to understand their capabilities, techniques and facilities. This engagement work will form the basis of building relationships and confidence in potential suppliers, who in turn will work towards the supply of the full scale test blade and follow on O2-X tidal turbine blades.

The consortium welcomes enquiries from composites suppliers who many be interested in exploring opportunities for entering the tidal blade market as the industry expands.

Contact

James Murray
Project Manager
j.murray@orbitalmarine.com