– Confirmed Opportunities for Future Collaboration on Advancing Sustainable Energy –
Photo caption from left to right: Mr. Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation-NECA; Michiko Hirose, Vice Chairperson of the Board, FLOWRA; Ms. Kim McGuinness, The Mayor, NECA; Kiyohiko Ko, Secretary General, FLOWRA
On 20 November 2025, FLOWRA welcomed the delegation led by Ms. Kim McGuinness, the Mayor of the North East Combined Authority (NECA), and representatives from the Department for Business and Trade at the British Embassy Tokyo.
NECA is promoting regional growth strategies centred on offshore wind, providing strong support for innovative technology development and job creation. NECA launched the TIGGOR (Technology, Innovation and Green Growth for Offshore Renewables) programme in collaboration with ORE Catapult, and the UK Government, and has established the North East Investment Zone (NEIZ) to accelerate investment.
During the meeting, NECA presented its initiatives to develop offshore wind‑related industries, support SMEs, and enhance regional coexistence. They also expressed strong interest in establishing collaboration with Japanese local governments. They also expressed their expextation for further participation of Japanese companies in the UK offshore wind market.
FLOWRA presented its mission and activities, including advancing collaboration with ORE Catapult based in Blyth with whom the discussion for concrete R&D cooperation opportunity has been commenced. FLOWRA also introduced the launch of a multilateral collaboration framework, ‘The Moonshot’, with European partners, and expressed desire for NECA’s continued support.
Both parties confirmed their shared commitment to contribute to the expansion of sustainable energy through technology development and industrial growth in the offshore wind sector.
Comment by Michiko Hirose, Deputy Chairperson of the Board, FLOWRA
“This visit reaffirmed NECA’s strategic focus on supporting SMEs, fostering related industries, and strengthening community engagement to establish the offshore wind ecosystem. We recognised NECA’s strong willingness to share the UK’s experience to support Japan’s offshore wind market development. We expect this will serve as a valuable foundation for deepening multi‑layered cooperation between the UK and Japan.”
FLOWRA will continue to enhance collaboration with the United Kingdom and European partners ,aiming to accelerate Japan’s commercial deployment of floating offshore wind in order to achieve early realisation of a carbon‑neutral society and strengthened national industrial competitiveness.
Contact:
Floating Offshore Wind Technology Research Association (FLOWRA)
Inside CROSSCOOP, Urbannet Uchisaiwaicho Building, 3F
1-1-13, Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 〒105-0004
E-mail: info@flowra.or.jp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowrajapan/
