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Offshore Wind Expert Support launches
The Offshore Wind Growth partnership has launched the Wind Expert Support initiative to provide companies with a structured business improvement programme with access to specialist delivery partners and to attract cross-sector engagement enabling new entrants to join the sector.
The programme is a short foundation activity that will include the provision of assessment, support, feedback and recommendations of next steps and action plans for further support as and where required to accelerate growth within the offshore wind sector supply chain. This will be delivered by Expert Consultants and will provide a needs-focused approach to business support.
Forth & Tay Offshore members are encouraged to apply at the earliest opportunity and with the fullest of application detail as demand is likely to exceed available capacity. To find out more about the programme, there will be an information webinar on the 3rd September, 14:00 - 15:00 with registration available here.
Key dates
- Applications Open – Monday 31st August 2020
- Online Briefing Event – Thursday 3rd September 2020 14:00 – 15:00.
- Applications Close – Friday 2nd October 2020 at 17:00
- Applicants notified – Friday 16th October 2020
Visit the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership website for more information and to apply.
Neart na Gaoithe project enters first phase of offshore construction
One of the world’s largest offshore construction vessels has arrived at the site of the EDF Renewables and ESB owned Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm, 15km off the Fife coast, as the project enters its first phase of offshore construction.
The S7000, Saipem’s semi-submersible crane vessel, will start the installation of casings for piles. The vessel will also work on preparing the seabed in advance of the arrival of the steel foundation jackets on which the 54 wind turbine generators and two offshore substations will be installed.
This giant vessel is 197.5 metres long and can work in the most challenging weather conditions. It can carry out heavy lift operations up to 14,000 tonnes at sea. NnG will supply enough low carbon electricity for around 375,000 homes* and has a capacity of c. 450 megawatts (MW) of low carbon energy and will offset over 400,000 tonnes of Co2 emissions each year. Full commissioning will complete in 2023.
Matthias Haag, NnG Project Director, said: “The construction phase of the NnG offshore wind farm is now well under way and many people will be able to see the S7000 starting construction work offshore. It will be visible from much of the East Neuk of Fife and from North Berwick and Dunbar.
“We have carefully considered the implications of COVID-19 and Scottish Government guidelines as the work gets under way offshore and for the continuing onshore works.”
Guido d’Aloisio, Saipem Head of Offshore Renewable Business line, said: “It’s very important for Saipem to start offshore construction on the NnG offshore wind farm, a milestone for our new business line, and this positions Saipem as a key player in the offshore wind industry.
“Strict protocols and continuous monitoring of the situation will ensure that the health and safety of our employees, clients and partners are protected throughout our operations on the NnG project.”
Saipem will supply and install the foundations for the turbines. It will also supply and install an additional two jackets for the offshore substations.
Onshore work continues on the project at various locations along the cable route which starts at Thorntonloch beach and finishes in the Lammermuir Hills.
ScottishPower Renewables - East Anglia Hub: Webinar Replay available
Forth and Tay Offshore invites its members and supply chain companies to listen again to the virtual East Anglia Hub wind farm project update with ScottishPower Renewables.
ScottishPower Renewables is proposing to construct its future offshore windfarms, East Anglia THREE, East Anglia TWO and East Anglia ONE North, as a new ‘East Anglia Hub’.
In the event that full consents are achieved in 2021, for East Anglia TWO and East Anglia ONE North, the EA Hub concept will increase efficiencies and could deliver multiple and wide-reaching benefits such as reduced construction timescales, sustained contracting opportunities for the supply chain and a reduction in the cost of renewable energy.
The East Anglia Hub would comprise between up to 263 next generation turbines in the southern North Sea generating up to 3.1GW. The offshore and onshore layout of the East Anglia THREE, East Anglia TWO and East Anglia ONE North projects would remain as originally planned.
Agenda
- Opportunities to engage - Offshore Wind Growth Partnership
- Winning business - Open4Business
- East Anglia Hub project update - ScottishPower Renewables
Ross Ovens - East Anglia Hub Project Director
Victoria Sinclair - Senior Supply Chain Strategy Manager
Julio De La Jara - Offshore Wind Supply Chain Manager - Q&A
Cluster Membership
Forth & Tay Offshore offers a host of benefits to help companies promote and grow their business in Offshore Wind.
Click here to register as a member.
Membership is free with new members always welcome. To qualify for membership, your business must be based in Scotland or have a Scottish office.
The benefits of being part of the Cluster include:
- Business development and advice
- Access to business support
- Best practice and knowledge sharing
- Collaboration and partnership forming
- Skills and training
- Investment opportunities
- Access to prospective customers
- Business promotion
Register as a member here.
Free Business Mentoring for Scottish Companies
Businesses are being invited to apply for the second round of FREE mentoring from Scottish Business Cares.
Each participant will get a total of seven hours of mentoring from a business leader with knowledge and experience relevant to their specific situation. Mentors are drawn from a variety of industries including entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
The mentoring programme will initially take on 50 SMEs who have previously participated in SBRC’s webinars and grow based on demand and funding availability.
All mentors have previous economic crisis experience gained during the 2008 financial crash, as well as a strong track record of business growth and success.
They have also agreed to use their extensive networks to enable introductions that will benefit mentees.
For more information on the 1-2-1 mentoring programme, visit the Scottish Business Resilience Centre website or email sbcinfo@sbrcentre.co.uk
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