Offshore renewable energy leaders are challenging East coast companies to come up with innovative underwater engineering solutions to support the UK's growing offshore wind sector.

The first of a series of workshops tackling subsea engineering issues - ranging from corrosion and tidal scour at turbine towers to keeping seals away from piling work - will be held on Wednesday, May 3 at Lowestoft's OrbisEnergy centre.

Organisers are keen to hear from oil and gas companies looking to diversify, as well as established renewables companies.

The day is the first of a two-year series of workshops covering the challenges facing offshore wind, including operations and maintenance, materials and electrical infrastructure.

OrbisEnergy's business development lead Johnathan Reynolds said: 'The challenges have been identified by people in the offshore industry – so there is a proven need and demand for solutions which helps with taking ideas to market.

'The offshore wind energy sector has faced some of these problems in its early phases, but we are now moving from niche industry to major industrialisation with the latest wind farms – and while the turbines look similar the technology has changed tremendously.

'This region – and other areas – have strong histories and experience in oil and gas subsea engineering over 50 years, which can help wind energy tackle these issues as it moves forward.'

The workshop runs from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

For details and registration, see www.scoregrants.co.uk/events or call 01502 563368.