Businesses interested in offshore wind will have the chance to get involved in a technology innovation programme.
A seminar in Inverness will look at how companies in the Highlands and Islands can collaborate and tackle the high costs affecting the industry.
The organisers of the event are Energy North, the Carbon Trust and Scottish Development International.
The supply chain opportunities that exist within the Carbon Trust’s flagship collaborative R&D programme , the Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA)will be highlighted.
Ian Couper, chief executive at event organiser, Energy North, said: “Offshore wind presents a major opportunity for the Highlands and Islands in areas such as the Moray Firth, the Pentland Firth and the Outer Hebrides.
“Issues, particularly the escalating cost of cabling and transmission, are delaying progress and could really affect the realisation of so many opportunities.
“Tuesday’s meeting is an excellent chance for north to find out more about opportunities for their business and how they can play a leading part in driving positive developments in the industry as supply chain partners.”
Set up in 2008, the OWA is a joint industry project involving nine offshore wind developers representing 72% (31GW) of the UK’s licensed capacity. Its aim is to reduce the cost of offshore wind by 10% by 2015 through innovation.
The scheme has already led to new developments in areas such as energy transmission, more accurate wake effect models and full scale demonstrations of innovative foundation designs.
The Carbon Trust is now looking to collaborate with businesses in the Highlands and Islands around areas such as developing new turbine foundations, creating effective access and electrical systems, improving cable installation and addressing wake effects to optimise yield.
The lunchtime event takes place on Tuesday 4 November from 12.00pm to 14.30pm at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness.
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