Venture will grow offshore energy

Industry and the public sector have joined forces in a bid to accelerate the growth of the offshore energy supply chain on the east coast of Scotland.

The new venture, called Forth and Tay Offshore will hold a series of activities designed to support innovation, collaboration, investment in skills and market awareness, while also promoting existing supply chain capabilities.

It is being set up as part of the UK Government’s sector deal for offshore wind, which set an ambition for the industry to generate 30% of the UK’s power needs by 2030 when published in March of this year.

Andy McDonald, head of low carbon at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Scotland’s offshore wind sector continues to go from strength to strength, with two major projects beginning construction, three participating in this year’s CfD auction, and multiple new sites being offered via the ScotWind leasing round.

“The new Forth & Tay cluster is well placed to service not only Scotland’s growing offshore wind pipeline, but also the many other projects planned for the rest of the UK and Europe.”

Participating councils are Angus, Dundee City, Fife, Perth and Kinross, East Lothian and Scottish Borders with support from SSE, EDF Renewables and Red Rock Power Limited.

A series of business breakfasts throughout the east coast of Scotland are planned to kick-start engagement starting on September 18 at DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in North Queensferry.

Work being carried out on an offshore turbine.