Clean-tech scale-up Kinewell acquires marine weather risk software

The British company said the acquisition will see ForeCoast Marine incorporated into the Kinewell business and complement its existing software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions.

Kinewell’s existing software solutions support the planning and design phase, optimising inter-array cable layouts, enhancing export system design and maximising energy by optimising turbine placement, saving developers millions of pounds and hundreds of hours in development time.

By simulating marine operations and entire sea campaigns using historical metocean data and real-world operational constraints, ForeCoast Marine will allow project teams to see how projects would have performed across past seasons. This further strengthens Kinewell’s offering by giving developers, contractors, operators and consultants actionable insights that help them forecast future uncertainty and make informed, de risked decisions.

Kinewell chief commercial officer Tony Appleton said, “Adding ForeCoast Marine to our software portfolio will enable Kinewell’s solutions to optimise every stage of a project lifecycle, from installation to the operational and decommissioning stages.

“It will help the industry to move faster, de-risk projects and lower costs, while positioning Kinewell at the forefront of offshore wind digital transformation. We are delighted to welcome it into the Kinewell family.”

Kinewell founder and chief executive Dr Andrew Jenkins said ForeCoast Marine’s software is applicable across the entire supply chain, from developers to consultants, insurers, marine planners, operators and ports, providing a single, easy-to-use solution that de-risk developments and maximise performance and improve project financials. “We also see huge potential in the use of ForeCoast Marine beyond offshore wind, with the software also used to support the planning and execution of any marine activity,” he said.

“It has already been well-received by our existing clients and has allowed new relationships to be forged with others in the sector. It will provide a real boost to the business as we seek to continue developing digital solutions for some of the industry’s most complex problems.”

The acquisition of ForeCoast Marine follows news that Kinewell has raised £750,000 in the first investment by the new North East Accelerate Fund, managed by Mercia Ventures. The investment will unlock a further six-figure sum in grant funding, bringing the total raised to over £1 million. The funding will enable Kinewell to accelerate the development and commercialisation of its technology, and to almost double in size within six months with the creation of 10 new jobs.