THE Novocastrian Offshore Wind project has committed scholarship funding to support students at the University of Newcastle and their research into offshore wind and renewable energy options.

Now in its second year, the Oceanex Energy Scholarship builds on the partnership with the University of Newcastle and represents an investment by Novocastrian Offshore Wind partners Oceanex Energy and Equinor into the next generation of offshore wind industry talent.

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This year’s recipient of the scholarship and Newcastle local, Oliver Phelan, is in his final year of study, completing a Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering.

Oliver was awarded the scholarship in May and has since begun a research project exploring the mechanical loadings on offshore wind turbines in an Australian setting.

“This scholarship is supporting me to do the work that I am passionate about and make a real contribution to the offshore wind industry,” Mr Phelan said.

“Once I’ve graduated, I would love to use my experience to help build renewable energy projects and set us on the right path for a sustainable energy generation future.”

In an extension of the partnership with the University, Oceanex and the University of Newcastle have also formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Under the MoU, the Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm will explore collaboration with the University through a range of innovation, student engagement, careers and research opportunities.

Andy Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Oceanex Energy said, “We are so pleased to continue and build on our partnership with the University of Newcastle and help students access, learn and contribute to this fast growing industry.

“Creating a sustainable offshore wind industry here in Newcastle relies on investment in local talent, knowledge and skills, and we’re making that a priority for each of our projects.”

Thomas Hansen, Senior Director for Offshore Wind in Australia for Equinor said, “Equinor has a tradition of investing in the heroes of tomorrow.

“We want to build and operate the Novocastrian Offshore Wind project for the long term, and that is dependent on talent like Oliver and his fellow students to join the emerging offshore wind industry and make this become a reality.”

Warwick Dawson, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Industry Engagement said the University was very proud of their industry relationships in the Hunter region.

“We are proud to have strong relationships with industry like Oceanex that not only have provided our students with scholarships and career placement opportunities but also enabled collaboration, utilising our facilities and multidisciplinary expertise,” Mr Dawson said.

“We are absolutely committed to the green energy transition, which will require not only the enabling infrastructure but also the skilled workforce to support these new industries.”

Oceanex Energy has spent the past three years preparing plans for the Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm, partnering with Equinor, a leading global energy company in 2022.

If approved the $10 billion investment will generate up to 2 gigawatts (GW) of energy and create up to 3,000 jobs during construction.

Further information on the Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm project is available at https://novocastrianoffshorewind.com.au/