AREG and Scottish Renewables Launch Industry’s First Share Fair

AREG and Scottish Renewables Launch Industry’s First Share Fair (2)

An innovative renewable energy initiative aimed at accelerating the growth of the industry’s supply chain is to be launched at a major Scottish offshore wind conference being held in Aberdeen today.

Scottish Renewables and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) have developed a new Supply Chain Share Fair. It is being introduced as part of Scottish Renewables’ annual Offshore Wind Conference and Exhibition, which runs today and tomorrow (Jan 29 and 30) at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre and is delivered in partnership between Scottish Renewables and Scottish Enterprise.

The Offshore Wind Supply Chain Share Fair has been designed to give supply chain companies the opportunity to find out about the timing and procurement processes for planned contracts and business opportunities in the sector.

Key developers, manufacturers and operations and maintenance organisations have been brought together at this event to present their forward project plans for the next 18 months and engage with potential suppliers. It is hoped that this new format for supply chain development, which is used successfully in the oil and gas industry, will further assist the growth of the industry and accelerate project developments.

Industry-leading companies such as AREVA, EDP Renewables, Global Energy, Mainstream Renewable Power and FoundOcean are among those taking part in the Share Fair.

This year’s conference, which will celebrate the significant progress being achieved by the offshore wind sector, is set to be the largest ever and is anticipated to attract more than 800 delegates and 60 exhibitors.

AREG was behind the concept for the Share Fair which is believed to be the first of its kind for the renewables industry and there are plans to significantly grow the event in future.

 Chief operating officer at AREG, Morag McCorkindale, said “AREG is committed to helping to stimulate the growth of Scotland’s renewables industry. This includes encouraging the development of a sustainable supply chain, particularly in offshore wind, and facilitating the transfer of vital oil and gas skills into renewables.

“The Scottish Renewables’ conference is a key offshore wind event which attracts high-profile industry players. It is therefore a strong, vibrant platform for the Supply Chain Share Fair, especially because it is held in Aberdeen where we have a critical mass of expertise. The region has a robust supply chain eager to support a new growth industry. Indeed, many companies with offshore oil and gas roots in the region are already operating in the offshore wind sector and driving forward the sector’s growth and diversification.”

Ms McCorkindale will also be speaking today at a conference session focusing on innovation and its potential to have a rapid impact on the pace and growth of developing offshore wind.

She said: “Scotland’s offshore wind industry has a forward-thinking vision to ensure its long-term sustainable growth with innovation being integral to its progression. Innovative developments such as one of AREG’s flagship projects, the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), have the very real potential to significantly accelerate the development of offshore wind and create considerable new offshoots in business opportunities.

 “As well as delivering renewable energy to the national grid, the EOWDC is expected to contribute to improving cost and competitiveness in the offshore wind sector through the demonstration of new technologies in a real time offshore environment before full-scale commercial deployment, contributing to risk and cost reduction.”

The EOWDC, planned to be located off the coast of Aberdeen, is a joint venture between AREG and Vattenfall, plus consortium partner Technip Offshore Wind Ltd.

Ms McCorkindale is also a guest speaker at an Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce breakfast being held tomorrow as part of the Scottish Renewables’ conference along with Matthew Green, a project director at the offshore wind power business unit within Vattenfall, Europe’s sixth largest generator of electricity; Alex Hill, office chief advisor to Government for Scotland and Northern Ireland for the Met Office.

AREG is exhibiting at Scottish Renewables conference on stand 22 where the private-public partnership will be showcasing Aberdeen City and Shire’s broad offshore wind capabilities, transferable skills and the breadth of members’ expertise and track record as well as the EOWDC.

[mappress]

Press release, January 29, 2013; Image: bigpartnership