North East engineering firm secures new contract to support Europe’s energy transition
The machine, which will be designed in Northumberland and built at Osbit’s Build and Test facility at the Port of Blyth, will be deployed on offshore wind farm campaigns across Europe and beyond, helping to safely and efficiently connect renewable energy to national power grids.
The award represents a significant investment in North East engineering capability and reinforces the region’s growing role as a centre of excellence for offshore renewable technology.
A critical component in offshore wind infrastructure, the shallow water trencher is designed to bury high-voltage power cables to depths of up to five metres below the seabed. The machine is capable of transitioning seamlessly between subsea and land trenching without operator intervention, enabling efficient cable installation across complex nearshore environments.
This technology will play an essential role in unlocking the North Sea’s vast wind potential and accelerating the delivery of clean energy to homes and businesses across Europe.
As the project progresses, it will create further investment across North East supply chains, with local manufacturers and specialist suppliers contributing to the build of key components.
The project also marks another major milestone for Osbit’s growth at the Port of Blyth. Having opened its dedicated Build and Test facility in early 2025, the company is already planning further expansion to accommodate an increasing pipeline of large-scale offshore energy projects. This planned expansion is expected to create new high-quality engineering and manufacturing jobs across the region through 2027 and beyond.
Alongside its commercial growth, Osbit continues to invest in inspiring the next generation of engineers through its STEM outreach programme, helping young people across the North East explore careers in offshore technology and renewable energy.
Phil Pennington, Director at Osbit, comments:
“Osbit has always maintained strong ties to our local supply chain here in the North East. The region’s industrial heritage gives us exceptional manufacturing capability, positioning the North East as a world-leading hub for engineering innovation in the energy transition.
“Projects like this not only bring investment and highly skilled jobs to the region, but also demonstrate the importance of inspiring future generations through STEM engagement. We want young people to see the scale of opportunity available in this sector and understand they can play a direct role in shaping a cleaner energy future.”
The project is currently in the detailed design phase at Osbit’s headquarters in Riding Mill and is scheduled for delivery from Blyth in late 2026. The trencher is expected to begin commercial operations on its first campaign in early 2027.
To find out more about Osbit, visit www.osbit.com
