Ørsted agrees new partnership with RNLI

Global leader in offshore wind, Ørsted will make a major contribution of more than £200,000 to fund running costs of lifeboats at seven RNLI lifeboat stations across the UK to help the charity continue their invaluable work. The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea and its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service across the UK. 

Ørsted first joined forces with the RNLI in late 2015 to support six lifeboat stations over two years – a partnership which has so far helped to fund nearly 600 launches and aid more than 580 people at sea. To reflect the company’s rapidly expanding offshore footprint in the UK, Ørsted has now extended the partnership to include Skegness Lifeboat Station – supporting a total of seven RNLI lifeboat stations to help save even more lives over the next three years.

Matthew Wright, managing director at Ørsted UK, said: “We’re extremely proud to continue our partnership with the RNLI for another three years and help this amazing charity save lives at sea. As a company building major offshore wind projects to be the backbone of the UK’s future energy system, we understand the challenges faced by RNLI crews working out at sea, and we want to help these lifeboat stations continue operating safely and efficiently. Ørsted is hugely committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we operate, which is why supporting the vital service provided by the RNLI makes so much sense to us.”

Paul Boissier, RNLI chief executive, said:
‘As a charity, the RNLI relies on donations to be able to carry out its lifesaving work around the coast of the UK and Ireland. So, we are grateful to Ørsted for their continued generosity in making a significant contribution to the lifeboat running costs of our stations at Barrow, Clacton-on-Sea, Humber, New Brighton, Ramsgate, Skegness and Wells. The donation from Ørsted has contributed to ensuring that the crew at these seven stations are ready to respond to emergency situations. The support from Ørsted will be felt most by our volunteer lifeboat crews and the people in the communities that we aim to protect, and we thank them for that.’

Ørsted currently has 10 operational offshore wind farms in the UK, with a further four in construction or development. These offshore wind farms are all located in areas corresponding to the seven RNLI stations:

• Barrow
• Clacton-on-Sea
• Humber
• New Brighton
• Ramsgate
• Skegness
• Wells

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives.