Opportunities for Local Businesses in Offshore Wind
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has welcomed the recent launch - by Crown Estate Scotland - of the ScotWind Offshore Wind Leasing Round.
Investors and developers can now take the first steps in obtaining a Lease Agreement to build Offshore Wind Farms in identified ‘Development Plan Options’ (DPOs) around Scotland. Three of these DPOs – N2, N3 and N4 – are in the Hebridean Marine Region and hold the potential to create jobs in the Outer Hebrides Supply Chain and to bring considerable benefit to island communities.
Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Cllr Roddie Mackay, said, “This is a major step forward for the islands. We have been working closely with Marine Scotland to ensure that their new draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind included Development Plan Options around the Outer Hebrides and now Crown Estate Scotland are offering seabed leases in these Option areas. We now need to ensure that local businesses can benefit from these leases.”
Cllr MacKay continued, “Following pressure from the Comhairle and others, Crown Estate Scotland will require prospective developers to submit Supply Chain Development Statements with their lease applications. The aim of these Statements is to maximise the opportunity for the local supply chain to be engaged in the delivery of these future projects. The DeepWind Offshore Wind Supply Chain Cluster is one of the main channels for the developers to engage with supply chain for these future contracts”.
With the entire ScotWind Leasing Round expected to bring investment of more than £20 billion in Offshore Wind, there will be opportunities throughout the Outer Hebrides Supply Chain, from marine services and engineering to hospitality and transport. To access these opportunities, local businesses should consider becoming members of the DeepWind Cluster and an Introductory Webinar on ‘DeepWind’ has been organised for local businesses on Wednesday 26th August from 2-3pm. At the Webinar, DeepWind Manager, Paul O’Brien, will provide an overview of the Offshore Wind sector, the ScotWind leasing round, and outline the benefits of membership of the DeepWind Cluster, followed by a Q&A session. To receive the link to join the webinar, please email amurray@cne-siar.gov.uk