On February 13, 2025, the Blue Energy Summit 2025, a premier event dedicated to offshore renewable energy, successfully brought together over 65 industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and academics at the Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. This hybrid event explored the latest advancements and future opportunities in offshore energy development.
This summit marked a significant milestone as the first thematic conference of the EU-funded project SHOREWINNER, reinforcing its role in advancing offshore renewable energy through innovation, collaboration, and policy development.
The summit commenced with an Opening Ceremony led by representatives from UNIVPM and P.PORTO, setting the stage for a day of insightful discussions and knowledge sharing.
Lorenzo Occhineri from Fastventus Solutions LTD delivered the keynote address, “The Evolution of Offshore Wind Turbines: From 3 MW to 20+ MW – Scaling Up for a Sustainable Future”, emphasizing strategies to enhance offshore energy scalability and sustainability.
Experts provided insights into Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) across Europe (Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and Portugal), highlighting collaborative efforts to strengthen skill development and drive innovation in offshore energy.
The session featured an in-depth discussion on current trends and future pathways in Offshore Renewable Energy, with leading researchers and industry professionals sharing expertise on sustainable energy solutions.
A crucial industry challenge, workforce development, upskilling, reskilling, and mental health support, was also addressed, emphasizing the need for a resilient and well-prepared workforce to propel the blue energy sector forward.
The Blue Energy Summit 2025 successfully fostered critical discussions, strengthened partnerships, and set a clear agenda for the future of offshore renewable energy. As stakeholders continue to collaborate, the summit’s outcomes will play a crucial role in shaping sustainable and resilient offshore energy solutions worldwide.
Ancona, Italy - Στις 21 Νοεμβρίου, το Ιταλικό Κέντρο Επαγγελματικής Αριστείας (COVE) φιλοξένησε με υπερηφάνεια την εκδήλωση έναρξης του έργου SHOREWINNER στο Πολυτεχνείο του Marche. Αυτή η σημαντική εκδήλωση σηματοδότησε μια κομβική στιγμή για την προώθηση του τομέα της υπεράκτιας αιολικής ενέργειας μέσω της εξειδικευμένης κατάρτισης και εκπαίδευσης.
Η εκδήλωση έναρξης του SHOREWINNER συγκέντρωσε μια διαφορετική ομάδα συμμετεχόντων, συμπεριλαμβανομένων εμπειρογνωμόνων του κλάδου, εκπαιδευτικών και βασικών ενδιαφερομένων μερών, οι οποίοι ενώθηκαν με την κοινή δέσμευση για τις ανανεώσιμες πηγές ενέργειας. Η ημέρα ήταν γεμάτη με δυναμικές συζητήσεις και παρουσιάσεις, με επίκεντρο την αποστολή του έργου να ενισχύσει τις δεξιότητες των επαγγελματιών στον ταχέως αναπτυσσόμενο τομέα της υπεράκτιας αιολικής ενέργειας.
Οι συμμετέχοντες εξέφρασαν έντονο ενθουσιασμό για τους στόχους του SHOREWINNER και τη συνεργατική του προσέγγιση. Η εκδήλωση παρείχε μια πλατφόρμα για την ανταλλαγή ιδεών και βέλτιστων πρακτικών στην εκπαίδευση στον τομέα των ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας, αναδεικνύοντας τον κρίσιμο ρόλο των εξειδικευμένων επαγγελματιών στην επίτευξη των στόχων της βιώσιμης ενέργειας.
Η ατζέντα περιελάμβανε κατατοπιστικές παρουσιάσεις από κορυφαίους εμπειρογνώμονες στον τομέα και παρείχε άφθονες ευκαιρίες δικτύωσης, θέτοντας τις βάσεις για μελλοντικές δραστηριότητες και συνεργασίες. Οι συζητήσεις υπογράμμισαν τη σημασία των συνεργατικών προσπαθειών για την προώθηση ενός εκπαιδευμένου και καλά προετοιμασμένου εργατικού δυναμικού, έτοιμου να αντιμετωπίσει τις προκλήσεις των ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας.
Καθώς το έργο SHOREWINNER προχωράει, η ιταλική COVE επιδιώκει να συνεχίσει να αξιοποιεί τη δυναμική της εκδήλωσης έναρξης. Οι μελλοντικές πρωτοβουλίες θα στοχεύουν στην περαιτέρω ανάπτυξη προγραμμάτων κατάρτισης και στην ενίσχυση των δεσμών εντός της κοινότητας των ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας, διασφαλίζοντας ότι η ανάπτυξη του τομέα υποστηρίζεται από ένα θεμέλιο αριστείας στην εκπαίδευση και την επαγγελματική ανάπτυξη.
Σχετικά με την ιταλική COVE
Το Ιταλικό Κέντρο Επαγγελματικής Αριστείας (COVE) είναι αφιερωμένο στην προώθηση της επαγγελματικής κατάρτισης και εκπαίδευσης, με ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στην κάλυψη των αναγκών του τομέα των ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας. Μέσω της συνεργασίας με εμπειρογνώμονες του κλάδου και εκπαιδευτικά ιδρύματα, το ιταλικό COVE στοχεύει στην προώθηση της αριστείας στην κατάρτιση και στην ενίσχυση των δεξιοτήτων των επαγγελματιών σε διάφορους κλάδους.
Welcome to the Inaugural Edition of the SHOREWINNER Newsletter!
November 2024
In this edition, we dive into the exciting developments of the SHOREWINNER project—an ambitious initiative aimed at fostering the growth of the offshore renewable energy sector in Southern Europe. Learn about our recent events, objectives, and the collaborative efforts shaping the future of offshore wind energy.
About SHOREWINNER
The Southern European Community for Offshore Wind Energy (SHOREWINNER) is dedicated to establishing a Community of Practice (CoP) across five Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus. This project, spanning from 2024 to 2028, focuses on the development, upskilling, and reskilling of the workforce, facilitating the sharing of resources, and aligning with significant European goals and priorities.
Each CoVE collaborates with national stakeholders to deliver vocational training tailored to the local industry’s needs, ensuring a robust exchange of knowledge and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Objectives and Goals
Main Objectives:
Provide top-notch VET in Offshore Renewable Energy.
Promote stakeholder exchanges to foster knowledge sharing and skill development at regional, national, and transnational levels.
Specific Objectives:
Develop a collaborative network across five countries.
Innovate and improve VET outreach, quality, and effectiveness.
Project Status
As we approach our first major milestone, SHOREWINNER partners are diligently crafting materials that reflect the needs and trends of offshore renewable energy in Southern Europe. Our efforts have encompassed an in-depth characterization of both the sectoral landscape and the VET context.
We have collected and analyzed survey responses from educators, professionals, and students within the field and conducted targeted interviews that yielded valuable insights and recommendations. This collaborative endeavor has enabled us to identify critical skills gaps, setting a strong foundation for developing tailored training material that will support our forthcoming project objectives and workforce upskilling initiatives.
Events
First General Assembly Our first general assembly took place on May 9th-10th, 2024, at Universidade da Coruña. It was a cornerstone event, setting the stage for future collaboration. Catch a glimpse of this pivotal gathering here.
Launch Events Recap
Portugal Launch Event: Held on September 20, 2024, at Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, this event marked a significant kickoff for the SHOREWINNER project. The event featured round-table discussions on vocational training excellence and the importance of cooperation between industry and educational institutions.
Cyprus Launch Event: Under the theme ‘Energy for the Future,’ this hybrid event occurred at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, bringing together influential figures from academia, industry, and government to discuss the future of wind energy in Cyprus. More details and discussions can be viewed here.
Greece Launch Event: On October 30th, the Hellenic Wind Energy Association (HWEA/ELETAEN) launched the SHOREWINNER project at OTE Academy, Greece, with notable speakers from government, academia, and industry. The event explored Greece’s offshore wind potential, supply chain needs, and SHOREWINNER’s mission to advance renewable energy across Southern Europe. More details and discussions can be viewed here
International Collaboration
The ShoreWinner team was invited by the T-shore project to participate in an event at the European Parliament in Brussels. This gathering was an excellent opportunity to engage in discussions about offshore renewable energy, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaboration opportunities.
Looking Forward
As SHOREWINNER moves forward, we aim to continue enhancing our Community of Practice, developing transnational curricula, and contributing innovatively to the offshore energy sector.
Stay tuned for more updates in our next edition!
Download Our Project Brochure To learn more about SHOREWINNER, download our detailed project brochure here.
Thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to driving sustainable and innovative change in the offshore wind energy sector together.
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 first general assembly meeting of SHOREWINNER—Southern European Community for Offshore Wind Energy—was held face-to-face on May 9th-10th, 2024, at Universidade da Coruña,
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.
Με τη χρηματοδότηση της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Οι απόψεις και οι γνώμες που διατυπώνονται εκφράζουν αποκλειστικά τις απόψεις των συντακτών και δεν αντιπροσωπεύουν κατ'ανάγκη τις απόψεις της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης ή του Ευρωπαϊκού Εκτελεστικού Οργανισμού Εκπαίδευσης και Πολιτισμού (EACEA). Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και ο EACEA δεν μπορούν να θεωρηθούν υπεύθυνοι για τις εκφραζόμενες απόψεις. Αριθμός Έργου : 101143967
