Offshore wind farm opportunities open up for Western Isles businesses

The availability of new lease agreements for the development of offshore wind farms in the Hebridean marine region could create local jobs in the Western Isles’ supply chain and has been welcomed by the Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar as a “major step forward for the islands”.
By Dawn Renton
Published 21st Aug 2020, 07:45 BST
The development of offshore wind farms could create job opportunities in the local supply chain.The development of offshore wind farms could create job opportunities in the local supply chain.
The development of offshore wind farms could create job opportunities in the local supply chain.

In June, Crown Estate Scotland launched the new Scotland Offshore Wind Leasing Round, and this week Leader, Cllr Roddy MacKay, said: “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.

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“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.”

The ScotWind Leasing Round could bring more than £20bn of investment to the offshore wind sector and the Comhairle has stated that opportunities for businesses will include the marine services, engineering, hospitality and transport sectors locally.

The Comhairle is also advising local businesses to become members of DeepWind Cluster, and has said that an Introductory webinar on ‘DeepWind’ has been organised for local businesses on Wednesday, August 26 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.

Related topics:Western Isles