Wimbledon-based engineering firm Offshore Design Engineering Ltd (ODE) has secured a major contract to design an offshore wind farm in Poland, backed by €900,000 finance from HSBC UK (split between a guarantee and export loan facility).
HSBC UK’s facility is backed by an 80% guarantee from UK Export Finance (UKEF).
ODE’s business has transformed with renewables now forming a large proportion of its work. The loan enabled ODE to maximise working capital efficiencies, grow its multi-million-pound export pipeline and supply one of Poland’s biggest offshore wind farms, set to provide clean electricity to up to one million Polish households.
ODE’s engineers and project managers helped design the wind farms and then assisted in their development, from conception to commissioning. Its core export markets are Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, the USA, Poland and Vietnam.
For one major overseas project, the Baltic Power offshore wind farm to the north of the Polish coastline, ODE was required to provide a performance bond in a short timeframe – which had cashflow impacts for the growing business.
After approaching HSBC UK and UKEF for support, ODE was able to secure the contract, accessing the financing it needed under UKEF’s General Export Facility (GEF). ODE has since become established in Poland with a number of additional renewable scopes being won in the country.
The business now has a multi-million level pipeline, with the flexibility provided by the GEF allowing ODE to pitch for larger contracts both in Poland and in new markets around the world.
For more information visit ODE’s website.