Opportunities in the offshore wind market will be highlighted today at an Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) event.
AREG chief operating officer Morag McCorkindale said: “Offshore wind is the fastest growing sector of the energy industry in the world and is expected to contribute significantly to Scotland’s target of achieving 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
“Scotland, and indeed Aberdeen city and shire, are among the key players in the offshore wind market and we are seeing significant results – real business, real contracts and real deals.
“We are keen that more local companies benefit from this flourishing market.”
Aberdeen-headquartered Subocean Group is one of the companies at the forefront of offshore wind developments, having successfully transferred its oil and gas expertise into renewables.
Brian Ross, the business development manager for Subocean, is to tell delegates at the AREG seminar in Aberdeen why it is crucial to invest in the industry’s future.
He said: “If Scotland and, indeed, the UK is to harness the offshore wind market and achieve the ambitious renewable energy targets, then it is vital that the industry invests heavily in assets, talent and time.
“The existing pool of assets and skills are rapidly being committed to achieving these long-term objectives, which not only highlights a potential dearth of valuable resources but the absorption of crucial skills and expertise.
“To put this into perspective, Europe currently has a small number of vessels servicing the offshore cable windfarm market. However, we believe that this fleet must grow by more than 600% to service Europe – and this is before taking the requirements of the super grid connection into account.”
Bill Grainger, of Clipper Windpower Marine which is based in Blyth, is another speaker.
Engineering manager Mr Grainger said: “It cannot be emphasised strongly enough that offshore wind has a big future, and Scotland, with its significant offshore wind resources and oil and gas expertise, has a fundamental role to play.
“The work for offshore wind involves conditions in which the oil and gas industry has a superb track record of achievement.
“But businesses need to realise the potential now. While installation is likely to be from 2014 to 2020 for Round 3 projects, businesses have to enter the market within the next two years.
“This means that businesses need to do their research now, make their business plan and start to invest.”
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