Strength to strength: Scottish Renewables showcases suppliers at annual summit
Behind any successful industry is a strong supply chain. From offshore inspection to civil engineering, electrical products and data services, in places like Aberdeen it is all around.
The Renewable Energy Supply Chain Conference gathered in Aberdeen to take stock of market opportunities and cast an eye on the progress of projects coming through Scotland’s clean power pipeline.
Bringing together developers, tier 1 suppliers and ports, hauliers, vessel brokers and operations and maintenance providers, the conference organised by Scottish Renewables also strengthened business relationships through meet-the-buyer appointments.
The gathering of suppliers comes at a pivotal moment for industry with major decisions on market reform adding uncertainty ahead of a mission-critical Contracts for Difference allocation round later this year.
With abundant opportunity comes high levels of risk, but the message in Aberdeen was clear: Scotland’s clean energy supply chain is open for business.
Companies like Ternan Energy, a geosciences consultancy, and Perceptual Robotics demonstrate that the renewable energy industry is as local as it is global. Born out of Aberdeen in 2016, Ternan Energy has supported deployment of the Pentland and Moray East Offshore Windfarms and expanded its services to more than 30 countries.
Also founded in 2016, Bristol-based Perceptual Robotics provide innovative drone inspection services for the onshore and offshore wind sectors in Scotland and across the globe.
The remarkable growth stories of small to medium-sized enterprises grasping the opportunities in clean energy can be found at Scotland’s ports too. Developments across multiple technologies are not only enabling quayside expansion at the Port of Inverness but delivering new public transport facilities that will benefit the local community.
Eyemouth Harbour is also seeking to capitalise on the opportunity offshore wind has to offer by growing its harbour for the benefit of all users, from the local community to fisheries and tourism.
The key takeaway? Renewable energy supply chains are not just rooted in project buildout, but they are playing an integral part to driving economic growth which benefits sectors and communities far beyond clean power projects.
Ports like Inverness, Eyemouth, Montrose and Aberdeen, some of the UK’s oldest businesses, are now at the forefront of seizing opportunities of the future. This is worth shouting about, but so is the quiet revolution taking place in Scotland’s supply chain with local businesses taking on new staff, facilities and contracts as a result of clean power projects.
Measurements of success in our industry are so much more than metres of steel or units of GVA. At Scottish Renewables, we want to champion suppliers going from strength to strength. Our latest Supply Chain Impact Statement will be published next month to shine a spotlight once again on inspiring examples of growth across Scotland.
The Clean Energy Cluster, which already has more than 400 members, also stands ready to give regional growth a national voice. If you have news to share or services to offer, we want to hear from you.