Offshore wind leaders urge north-east to seize a share of the market

"Offshore wind is the fastest growing sector of the energy industry in the world and is expected to contribute significantly to Scotland's target of achieving 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020," said AREG's chief operating officer Morag McCorkindale.
 
"Scotland, and indeed Aberdeen City and Shire, are among the key players in the offshore wind market and we are seeing significant results - real business, real contracts and real deals. We are keen that more local companies benefit from this flourishing market."
 
Aberdeen-headquartered Subocean Group is one of the companies at the forefront of offshore wind developments, having successfully transferred its oil & gas expertise into renewables.
 
Subocean recently created a renewable industry milestone by becoming the first company to use a DP vessel equipped with ploughing technology to install cables in the windfarm market. The subsea construction company's innovative approach has cut cable installation time by 50%, providing the marine renewables' sector with a more cost-effective and efficient solution.
 
Brian Ross, business development manager for Subocean Group, is to tell delegates at today's AREG event in Aberdeen why it is crucial to invest in the industry's future: "If Scotland and, indeed, the UK is to harness the offshore wind market and achieve the ambitious renewable energy targets, then it is vital that the industry invests heavily in assets, talent and time," he said. "The existing pool of assets and skills are rapidly being committed to achieving these long-term objectives which not only highlights a potential dearth of valuable resources but the absorption of crucial skills and expertise.
 
"To put this into perspective, Europe currently has a small number of vessels servicing the offshore cable windfarm market, however, we believe this fleet must grow by more than 600% to service Europe - and this is before taking the requirements of the Super Grid Connection into account."
 
Bill Grainger, of Clipper Windpower Marine, is also to speak at today's seminar. Blyth-based Clipper Windpower, a leading offshore wind turbine manufacturer, is behind one of the world's largest turbines under development - the 10MW Britannia offshore wind turbine.
 
Engineering manager Mr Grainger said: "It cannot be emphasised strongly enough that offshore wind has a big future and Scotland, with its significant offshore wind resources and oil and gas expertise, has a fundamental role to play. The work for offshore wind involves conditions in which the oil and gas industry has a superb track record of achievement.
 
"But businesses need to realise the potential now. While installation is likely to be from 2014 to 2020 for Round 3 projects, businesses have to enter the market within the next two years. This means businesses need to do their research now, make their business plan and start to invest."
 
Fellow speakers at the AREG seminar, which is to be chaired by the partnership's chairman Jeremy Cresswell, include: Professor Ian Bryden, from the University of Edinburgh's engineering department; and John Robertson, managing director of Fife-based design and fabricating company Burntisland Fabrications (BiFab).

Photo caption: Morag McCorkindale, AREG chief operating officer

Ends (27.11.09)

Issued on behalf of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) by The BIG Partnership. For more information, contact Karen Grant on 01224 615009 or 07734 617 056.

 
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