SSE Renewables meets potential supply chain businesses for its Gordonbush wind farm extension near Brora
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More than 20 Highland businesses took up an invitation from energy developer SSE Renewables to see how they could play a part in its Gordonbush Extension wind farm project.
The meet the buyer event at the Marine Hotel in Brora is part of SSE Renewables efforts to engage closely with its Scottish supply chain and to maximise opportunities to work with local businesses.
The project will add an 11-turbine extension to the current Gordonbush onshore wind farm, 12km north-west of Brora, and will be the renewable energy developer’s first ever subsidy-free onshore wind farm.
Construction work is scheduled to begin at the end of March, with the project expected to start producing power at the end of the year.
The event allowed SSE Renewables and its contractors to connect directly with a range of businesses including local accommodation providers, tree-fellers, caterers, plant hire companies and plant operatives.
Mike Scott, Gordonbush Extension’s project manager, said: “I’d really like to thank everyone that made it here to speak to us today. We’ve had a great day meeting with such a diverse group of local businesses, and it has been invaluable hearing all the services they have to offer.
“These events don’t just help secure contracts for one project, we hope that they help businesses and suppliers understand what we need to help build future onshore wind farms too, so that, even if they are not successful for this project, they know what to do to ensure they are ready to bid for future contracts.
“We’re really looking forward to starting work on an onshore wind farm again and hope that some of the people we have met here today will be part of that journey.”
Also taking part were representatives from RJ McLeod, one of Scotland’s largest privately-owned civil engineering and building contractors and the appointed principal contractors of the civil and cabling works.
Thomas Murray of RJ McLeod said: “It’s been really great day here today up in Brora. Events like this provide a unique opportunity to meet with potential suppliers and it’s been very valuable to have met so many varied businesses and talk to them about the project and our future pipeline of work.”
For businesses that were unable to attend the meet the buyer event, there is still an opportunity to register on the Highlands and Islands Open4Business platform for an opportunity to work with SSE Renewables on the project.
