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Innovate, Optimize, Transform: The Offshore Wind O&M Innovation Challenge

We are seeking cutting-edge, digital solutions from diverse industries to revolutionize offshore wind operations
and maintenance

Apply now
About the Challenge
Who should apply
Focus areas
Market opportunity
Timeline
How to apply


About the Challenge


Ørsted invites participants from various industries to adapt their innovative technologies to enhance the efficiency, safety, and reliability of offshore wind operations. It is a unique opportunity for companies to bridge or scale digital solutions to the offshore wind sector's operations and maintenance (O&M) needs. The challenge will leverage Ørsted's expertise and, in partnership with Digital Catapult and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in the UK, will provide a unique platform to mature innovative ventures.

  In collaboration with


  

Why this Challenge matters
to Ørsted and the wider industry?

The offshore wind industry is rapidly growing. As O&M needs expand, innovative digital solutions are crucial for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving reliability. This challenge provides startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a unique opportunity to scale their solutions with the leading global offshore wind developer, driving sustainability and innovation in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the industry.


Who should apply?
​

  • Companies from various sectors with digital solutions adaptable to offshore wind O&M.
  • Proven technologies from any industry that haven't
    yet been applied to offshore wind.
  • UK-registered companies ready to respond quickly
    to market opportunities.


Why participate?
​

  • Validate and test your solution in a real-world renewable energy environment, ensuring practical applicability
    and effectiveness.
  • Unlock access to a new industry with significant market share potential, positioning your company for future growth and innovation.
  • Establish partnerships for pilot projects and scaling opportunities, advancing the maturity of your technology.
  • Access Ørsted’s industry expertise and insights into wind farm operations for enhanced solution development.


Focus areas and use case examples
​

To inspire potential applicants, we have outlined some example use-cases. This is not an exhaustive list and we encourage applications from anyone that feels their digital solution could lead to a step-change in offshore wind O&M. Please note,
we do not expect applicants to address all use—case areas with their solution (or even all of a single use-case area).
We are seeking any solutions which can hold benefits within offshore wind O&M. Solutions will be assessed on the scale
of the proposed benefits (as one assessment criteria).

Increasing predictive maintenance        and reducing unplanned maintenance
Example: Machine learning models for failure prediction
Logistics & resource optimisation to improve efficiency
Example: AI-powered weather analytics, smart warehouse
Automated inspection to enable additional insights from existing inspection methodologies
Example: Automated inspection processing
​​
Approaches to model and optimise operations and maintenance
Example: Digital twins for turbine performance, portfolio management
Increasing transparency and trust in maintenance and supply chains
Supply chain offshore wind farm
Example: Digital ledger-based maintenance records
​
Assisting workers remotely and reducing the need for additional unnecessary site visits
Example: Augmented reality assisted troubleshooting & employees training

Out-of-the-box solutions

We encourage innovative proposals that may not fit within the predefined categories but still align with offshore wind O&M digitalization goals.


Market opportunity

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*(According to Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult)


Timeline
​


September 2,  2025
 
Official launch of the competition, with details on goals, eligibility, and how to apply. Participants can now register and submit their proposals.


October 3, 2025
Deadline for submissions. All proposals must be submitted by this date to be considered for the competition.


October 24, 2025
Top proposals are reviewed and shortlisted based on the evaluation criteria. Selected participants are notified and invited to proceed to the next phase of the competition.


November 20, 2025
Pitch Day | Shortlisted participants will attend an in-person event in London to present their proposals to a panel of judges. Winners announced shortly afterwards.


January, 2026
Programme delivery commences in the beginning of 2026.



Blue checkmark in a blue circle

How to apply

To apply, click the button below and submit your application through the external page.
Apply now

Additional Resources

Innovation Report

Better, faster, smarter: Harnessing innovation to create the green energy systems of tomorrow

Annual report 2024

Find a comprehensive range of information about Ørsted – including our performance highlights and strategy, as well as our financial and sustainability performance.

Contact details

innovation@orsted.com       Digital Catapult