Trade unions, offshore wind developers and supply chain companies have agreed to take action to ensure more Scottish companies benefit from the awarding of contracts for offshore wind projects.
At a summit held by Finance Secretary Derek Mackay and Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse, industry representatives agreed that collective action was needed to make sure supply chain companies are well positioned to benefit from upcoming offshore wind projects.
According to the Scottish government, the industry has been called on to consider urgent action for achieving the local content targets that are part of the UK’s Offshore Wind Sector Deal .
The government has promised to explore the options open for attaching supply chain conditions and incentives to Crown Estate Scotland leases and ways in which the Parliament reviews and approves decommissioning plans.
Additionally, representatives from the offshore wind sector committed to undertake a strategic capability assessment of fabrication in the UK and to identify the areas with the highest potential for growth.
“Scotland has all the natural resources to make it an ideal location for offshore wind, but recent projects have failed to deliver significant economic opportunities for Scottish businesses,” Mackay said.
“I will continue to champion the strengths, and potential, of our indigenous supply chain. But now it is time for the offshore sector to do more by awarding contracts to our supply chain.
Mackay added that the economic benefits must be maximized and the supply chain must work hard to seek opportunities, make strategic investments and consider appropriate cooperation when tendering for contracts.
“We have increased our ambitions for UK content and set a 2030 target of 60%. To support it, an independent supply chain review was undertaken earlier this year,” said Chair of the Offshore Wind Industry Council and Ørsted UK Country Manager for Offshore, Benj Sykes .
“The industry is working together to establish a new Offshore Wind Growth Partnership, of up to £100 million which will help UK supply chain companies to compete for multi-billion pound business opportunities in this thriving sector.”
Summit invitees include senior officials from Department for BEIS, DEME GeoSea, EDF Renewables, E.ON, Equinor, GE Renewable Energy, GMB, Innogy, Jan De Nul, MHI Vestas, Moray East Renewables, Ørsted, RWE, Scottish Power, SDIC Red Rock Power, Seaway Heavy Lifting, Siemens Energy Distribution, SSE, Saipem, Unite the Union, Van Oord and Vattenfall.
Delegates are expected to meet again later this year to review progress.