Developers building an offshore wind farm which will bring energy ashore in East Lothian are urging local suppliers and workers to get involved, as they bid to benefit the area and lower the project’s carbon footprint.
Inch Cape Offshore Limited (ICOL) is looking for local businesses who can help it build the onshore substation it plans to bring energy from its wind farm onto land at Cockenzie.
Firms are being invited to join a virtual supply chain, with Inch Cape saying ensuring local expertise is used will allow it to reduce costs, construction times and its carbon footprint.
The company is hosting a virtual Cluster Builder event next week where firms will be able to learn how they can get involved in the massive wind farm project.
And Inch Cape is urging East Lothian firms and suppliers to join the event and sign up.
ICOL was granted planning permission for a substation at the former Cockenzie Power Station site after Scottish Ministers called in its application.
The substation will bring power from the Inch Cape offshore wind farm which is proposed off the Angus coast into the National Grid.
East Lothian Council bought the power station site from Scottish Power three years ago after its iconic twin chimneys had been demolished and the site cleared.
Adam Ezzamel, ICOL project director said the virtual event will help small and medium-sized businesses learn how to get involved in work tenders and engage with offshore projects.
He said: “In common with all major infrastructure projects, a high proportion of contracts will be awarded to large ‘tier one’ suppliers.
“However, each of these suppliers will in turn be reliant on multiple specialist subcontractors, and this is where local businesses can play to their strengths.
“For these businesses, this event will explain Scotland’s “Cluster Builder” initiative, led by offshore wind supply chain experts Xodus, to support the Scottish supply chain to target opportunities in offshore wind.
“At the same time, Inch Cape is keen to contract directly with specialist suppliers of all sizes if they can introduce new technologies and innovative ways of working with a focus on lowering the cost of energy on the project and reducing construction time, cost and carbon footprint whilst prioritising health and safety.”
The Cluster Builder event takes place on Thursday, September 16 between 10am and 11am and links can be found at www.inchcapewind.com/supply-chain
by Marie Sharp, Local Democracy Reporter.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency : funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector, and used by qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
