Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm to host supply chain open day
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Looking at renewable sources of energy is now more important than ever.
Being creative and looking at how we can use Scotland’s natural resources is integral to supporting our local communities, and preserving the planet for future generations.
Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm (PFOWF) is leading the way in these endeavours, and is currently in the process of building what will be the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm when operational.
Located off the coast of Dounreay, Caithness the project will be capable of providing clean energy to approximately 70,000 homes, equivalent to around 65 per cent of homes in the Highland Local Council area.
The project is being developed by Highland Wind Limited, which is majority owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) through one of its funds.
Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP) carries out offshore wind development and construction on behalf of the funds managed by CIP.
Overall, PFOWF is projecting the project will deliver gross value added (GVA) lifetime expenditure of £419M in the UK.
This is in line with the ambitious target of 40 per cent to 60 per cent lifetime UK content, which is unprecedented figures for floating wind in the UK to date. In addition to this the project expects the supply chain to support up to 1,300 FTE during construction and 85 FTE during each year of operation.
With such a major project taking place, the firm is ensuring that community interests are served, and that the local economy is benefitting from the success.
That’s why they have set up supply chain events, so that companies and individuals can understand how they can collaborate and benefit from the renewable energy project.
PFOWF will be holding a Business Breakfast event in partnership with Caithness Chamber of Commerce in Thurso on November 23.
This will provide an introduction to the project and the opportunities available to local supply chain companies in the area.
Project director for Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm, Richard Copeland says that he is looking forward to working with people in the local community to take part in this world-first initiative.
He said: “There are lots of opportunities for people to get involved with the project.
“With many young people leaving the Highlands due to lack of opportunities, we want to ensure that there are high quality jobs for them.
“This will be the start of a long-term future for the next generation, with viable jobs that will bring strength and economic growth to the local area.”
Not only will there be opportunities for suppliers, but the firm is also making sure that there are clear pathways for educational opportunities.
The Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm is supporting an Education and Training Fund, which will provide scholarships to select students from Thurso and Farr High Schools who are going on to higher education and training courses focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Renewable Energy. It is working with the high schools directly to deliver this and the first awards were made in June 2022.
“We want to ensure the Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm provides long term benefits to communities local to the development.
“We are at the early stages of developing a Community Benefit Fund, which would likely become available on commissioning of the array project”, said Mr Copeland.
The developer has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Scrabster Harbour Trust to work together on the development of operations and maintenance (O&M) requirements, services, and facilities.
Mr Copeland said: “This MOU demonstrates the benefits that the Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm could bring to the Caithness area.
"Providing operations and maintenance for offshore wind brings long-term, high value jobs and wider economic and social benefits.”
Further information about the project and supply chain events can be found at www.pentlandfloatingwind.com
