Tyneside offshore cleantech company Kinewell Energy has secured two substantial contracts with prominent global renewable energy producers. The Newcastle-based firm, recognised for its award-winning KLOC software, has entered into six-figure, multi-year agreements that will see these two European giants utilise the tool in developing future offshore wind farms worldwide.
Kinewell Energy’s headquarters, situated in Newcastle city centre, already collaborates with leading renewable energy players such as Equinor and SSE Renewables. The latest contracts are expected to significantly drive the company’s expansion, according to Founder and CEO Dr Andrew Jenkins. He remarked, “We are thrilled to be welcoming these two new customers into the Kinewell family. Our KLOC software has played a key role in the development of some of the world’s largest offshore wind farms over recent years, and these partnerships will allow us to help even more communities reap the benefits of greener, cheaper energy.”
Established in 2015, Kinewell Energy’s Kinewell Layout Optimisation of Cable (KLOC) software leverages AI-powered technology to optimise subsea cable layouts and turbine placements. The technology reduces cable system costs by approximately 20% through minimizing cable length and energy loss, resulting in more efficient delivery of clean power to communities. Moreover, KLOC expedites the development process for wind farms, making it both quicker and more cost-effective for developers to transition to renewable energy.
Dr Jenkins underscored the urgency of investing in clean energy, particularly in light of the United Nations’ goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. He stated, “Should the UN achieve its ambition of global emissions reaching Net Zero by 2050, then it is estimated that annual clean energy investment worldwide will need to triple to a staggering £4 trillion by 2030.” However, rising interest rates, inflation, and material costs have increasingly burdened developers, making cost-effective solutions like KLOC more attractive. Traditionally, clients would employ the software after securing planning, but many are now integrating it from the outset to enhance the competitiveness of tenders and secure financing.
In recent months, Kinewell Energy has expanded its team by five new members, thanks to support from the Technology, Innovation & Green Growth for Offshore Renewables (TIGGOR) fund. The company has introduced two additional solutions, KDOTS and KWOTA, which further streamline the wind farm export system design and optimise turbine layouts, respectively. Both KDOTS and KWOTA have garnered positive feedback from clients and are expected to drive further growth, necessitating an increase in staff and contributing to the creation of more green jobs in North East England. Dr Jenkins concluded, “As global take-up continues to increase, this will only lead to a need to continue growing our headcount and delivering more green jobs for the North East of England”.
Kinewell Energy’s recent contract wins mark a pivotal moment for the company and the offshore renewable energy sector. The advancements in their KLOC software and additional solutions not only promise enhanced efficiency and reduced costs but also align with global efforts to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050. These strategic partnerships and innovations underline Kinewell Energy’s role in driving the clean energy transition and fostering economic growth in renewable energy industries.