Author: PM

Ancona, Italy – On November 21st, the Italian Centre of Vocational Excellence (COVE) proudly hosted the launch event for the SHOREWINNER project at the Polytechnic University of Marche. This significant event marked a pivotal moment in advancing the offshore wind energy sector through specialized training and education.

The SHOREWINNER Launch Event brought together a diverse group of participants, including industry experts, educators, and key stakeholders, all united by a shared commitment to renewable energy. The day was filled with dynamic discussions and presentations, focusing on the project’s mission to enhance the skills of professionals in the rapidly growing field of offshore wind energy.

Attendees expressed strong enthusiasm for SHOREWINNER’s objectives and its collaborative approach. The event provided a platform for sharing ideas and best practices in renewable energy education, highlighting the crucial role of skilled professionals in achieving sustainable energy goals.

The agenda included insightful presentations from leading experts in the field and provided ample networking opportunities, laying the groundwork for future activities and partnerships. The discussions underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in fostering an educated and well-prepared workforce ready to tackle the challenges of renewable energy.

As the SHOREWINNER project moves forward, the Italian COVE looks to continue building on the momentum from the launch event. Future initiatives will aim to further develop training programs and strengthen ties within the renewable energy community, ensuring that the sector’s growth is supported by a foundation of excellence in education and professional development.

About Italian COVE

The Italian Centre of Vocational Excellence (COVE) is dedicated to advancing vocational training and education, with a special focus on meeting the needs of the renewable energy sector. Through collaboration with industry experts and educational institutions, Italian COVE aims to promote excellence in training and enhance the skills of professionals across various industries.

On October 30th, the launch event for the SHOREWINNER project in Greece, organized by the Hellenic Wind Energy Association HWEA/ELETAEN, was held at the premises of OTE ACADEMY. The event opened with introductory remarks from the Deputy Minister of Education, Religion, and Sports, Ms. Ioanna Lytrivi, the Managing Director of HEREMA, Mr. Aris Stefatos, and the Scientific Manager of the SHOREWINNER project, Emeritus Professor at the University of the Aegean, Ms. Chrissi Vitsilaki.

In the first part of the event, there was a broader discussion on offshore wind energy in Greece, covering topics such as wind potential, future prospects, and the supply chain. Mr. Panagiotis Haviaropoulos, Board Member of ELETAEN and CEO of iWind Renewables, spoke about the upcoming institutional, technological and commercial steps needed for offshore wind energy in Greece. Dr. Takvor Soukisian, Research Director of HCMR, presented the results of a detailed analysis of Greece’s offshore energy potential. Mr. Panagiotis Kastanidis, Head of the Energy Sector of Samaras & Associates, shared key findings from research conducted for ELETAEN, which examined the current state of Greece’s offshore wind supply chain and highlighted the need for specialized knowledge and technical personnel.

In the second part of the event, the SHOREWINNER project, its planning and deliverables were presented in detail, followed by an interactive workshop designed to provide information and gather feedback from participants for the project stakeholders. Ms. Teresa Alexandra Nogueira, Project Director, gave an overview of the entire SHOREWINNER initiative and described the national hubs – Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) – in other consortium countries, including Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus. Mr. Stavros Pitsikalis, representing University of the Aegean and serving as the Greek CoVE Coordinator, provided a detailed overview of the SHOREWINNER project’s implementation in Greece. Dr. Ilona-Elefteryja Lasica, Research Associate of the University of the Aegean, discussed about the structure and procedures of the Greek CoVE and highlighted synergies with CoVEs in other participating countries. Finally, Mr. Dimitris Kyriakos, Director of public VET school DIEK Aigaleo, spoke about the role of the market and businesses within the SHOREWINNER project in Greece, sharing experiences from similar vocational training programs.

The Shorewinner project, which aims to set up and develop a Southern European offshore wind energy community of practice, was successfully launched in Cyprus this week.

The hybrid event took place on Thursday at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) in Nicosia, under the title ‘Energy for the Future’.

The launch attracted key members of the academic and business community, as well as government officials, and was co-organised by Keve, Intercollege, the University of Cyprus, and CARDET.

The announcement noted that the event kicked off with Keve secretary general Marios Tsiakkis welcoming attendees.

During his address, Tsiakkis underscored the importance of offshore wind energy for achieving Cyprus’ sustainable development goals.

Moreover, Intercollege executive director Nicholas Kythreotis outlined the objectives of the Shorewinner project.

He also highlighted the cooperation among five Centres of Excellence from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus.

Gerasimos Gerasimou, energy service officer at the Energy Ministry, discussed the prospects and challenges of renewable energy sources in Cyprus.

Constantinos Panayiotou from the Human Resource Development Authority (Anad) presented the identified needs in green professions and skills within the Cypriot economy.

A notable contribution came from Christos Tsingis, Executive Director of the Cyprus Wind Energy Association, who spoke on the development potential of wind energy in the country.

Andreas Livera, Special Research Scientist at the University of Cyprus, analysed the goals and challenges facing both the photovoltaic and wind energy sectors.

The event concluded with an interactive workshop moderated by Pavlos Papadopoulos, a special research scientist at the University of Cyprus, allowing participants to exchange views and ideas on emerging opportunities in the field of renewable energy sources.

The launch event of the SHOREWINNER project was successfully held in Portugal!
The highly anticipated launch event of the SHOREWINNER project, a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering the development of the offshore renewable energy sector in Southern Europe, was successfully held at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto in Portugal on September 20, 2024. The event brought together key stakeholders from industry, academia, and government, marking the beginning of a collaborative journey to boost skills and innovation in the blue economy.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from the P.Porto project coordinator, who provided an overview of SHOREWINNER’s objectives and the anticipated impact on the region’s offshore wind energy capabilities.

Two engaging round-table discussions followed, each moderated by representatives from project partners FOR-MAR, EPATV, and APREN. The first session focused on “Excellence in Vocational Training and Marine Renewable Energies,” exploring the current market needs and the alignment of training programs with industry demands. Experts from various sectors provided insights into the challenges and opportunities for vocational training in the renewable energy field, emphasizing the importance of a skilled workforce to support the rapid growth of the offshore sector.
The second round-table session delved into “Excellence in Co-operation and Partnerships,” highlighting the critical role of synergies between industry and vocational training institutions.

Discussions centered around the development of skills ecosystems that can drive innovation and sustainability in the offshore renewable energy industry. Participants shared their experiences and best practices, fostering a collaborative environment that set the stage for future cooperation.