Investors will get an insight today into how a potential £20billion of business could be shared out in the Highlands and islands’ offshore wind industry over the next decade.
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney will send a video message to delegates at a promotional event at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness, organised by the Crown Estate and development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
A massive 32gigawatts of offshore wind energy generation was sanctioned for the UK last month through the Crown Estate’s third leasing round.
Successful third round developers will be joined at the event by representatives of organisations such as the Department of Energy and industry trade body Scottish Renewables.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Swinney said: “The offshore wind industry will experience huge growth over the next 10 years with around £20billion set to be invested in Scottish waters. That presents massive opportunities to build a strong and vibrant supply chain in many sectors.
“Alongside our considerable human capital, we have a globally recognised expertise in offshore engineering, scientific capacity, manufacturing and innovation – immense qualities needed to gear up to an immense opportunity.
“This will be a highly productive event for the industry and I look forward to hearing of the beneficial relationships that ensue.”
HIE chairman William Roe, a speaker at today’s event, said: “The UK is emerging as the world leader in the development of wind energy, presenting significant contract opportunities. The region has superb on and offshore wind resources and, thanks in part to the legacy of the oil and gas industry in this part of the world, we also have much of the infrastructure, engineering capacity and skilled workforce needed to seize these new opportunities.”
Crown Estate director Rob Hastings said: “The industry is proposing that 25% of the UK’s electricity demand will be met from offshore wind by 2020 and this represents a massive long-term investment opportunity for the Highlands and islands.
“It has the potential to generate thousands of jobs throughout the UK. Our event is the ideal opportunity for the business community to find out how they can benefit from the growth in the offshore wind sector.”
Ian Couper, chief executive of the North of Scotland Industries Group, added: “Developers across the globe are now realising this region has the capacity and expertise to deliver solutions for next generation energy provision.
“HIE and NSIG are working with industry operators, making them aware of opportunities and industry timescales and introducing them to developers, and this is bearing fruit.”