Houlder Expertise Recognized with ‘Fit 4 Offshore Renewables’ Status

Houlder has been granted Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) status by the ORE Catapult review panel, following an extensive evaluation period.

The Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR) program is designed to support the development of an increasingly competent, capable and competitive UK offshore renewable energy supply chain – maximizing opportunities for UK specialists, both domestically and globally.

With this new accreditation, combined with years of experience supporting the marine sector, Houlder can demonstrate that it operates the key management systems and has the core skill sets required for success in the offshore renewable energy sector.

The UK has increasingly ambitious renewable energy goals as it transitions away from fossil fuels, recently announcing that its target is 50GW of operating offshore wind capacity by 2030, of which 5 GW will be floating wind.

Supporting the energy transition requires a comprehensive understanding of what drivers are influencing developers’ decision-making, and identifying the optimal solutions for a given site. This complex challenge requires fresh thinking in engineering, design, and project delivery – which aligns with Houlder’s business strategy for growth in the energy transition.

Houlder entered the F4OR program in mid-2021, which then saw the company assessed over a two-phase evaluation process. The first, an industry agnostic ‘Business Excellence’ phase, focused on core business management systems. This determined that Houlder was already a highly competent and capable organization, with systems in place that met the standards of effective consultancy to offshore energy clients.

The second phase, which was sector-specific, focused on key competencies required for successful operation within the offshore renewable energy industry. During this second phase, Houlder joined a series of webinars featuring other members of the cohort (companies seeking the same accreditation). These sessions involved candidate companies sharing knowledge and creating action plans with the aim of improving on, and exceeding the expectations of, internal business processes relating to different parts of the offshore renewables sector.

Commenting on Houlder’s new status, Mark Goalen, Director of Offshore Engineering said: “This accreditation further confirms the impact of the work Houlder's work within this sector over the last decade. Our work in the offshore renewables space has increased substantially over the last decade, with this area representing a crucial element of the global decarbonization drive. Our team, comprising of individuals experienced across the marine industry – from naval architecture to engineering – has constantly adapted to the changing needs of clients, which remains the key to our success.

“We look forward to continued learning and improvement, to maximize the value of our expertise in this area. Our aim is to play an ongoing and increasingly influential role in developing the offshore renewable energy supply chain."

Learn more about the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables program here: https://ore.catapult.org.uk/what-we-do/supply-chain-growth/fit-4-offshore-renewables/