OREANDA-NEWS. August 27, 2015. Following the success of the first Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm Open4Business Supply Chain event in June, a further two supply chain events will be held in Wick and Elgin within the next few weeks.

Over 100 interested businesses, providing a variety of services from civils to diving attended the first event at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, to find out further information about possible supply chain opportunities available during the construction and lifespan of the project.

Representatives from the project team, SSE’s Open4Business programme, engineering, procurement and construction contractors, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) were on hand at the event to provide an update on the latest project information and answer any questions on the day. 

Further Beatrice supply chain events will take place in September: 

•  Tuesday 8th September, 8.30am to 1pm – Laichmoray Hotel, Elgin
•  Wednesday 9th September, 8.30am to 1pm – Mackays Hotel, Wick

Subject to a positive final investment decision, the Beatrice project, which was consented by Marine Scotland in March 2014 and granted an investment contract by the UK government in May 2014, is planned for construction in 2016. As well as generating up to 664MW of renewable electricity if constructed, the project is expected to bring a range of socio-economic benefits to both the Moray and Highland regions.

Stephen Baker, Head of Offshore Procurement for SSE Renewables, said: “Our first Open4Business event for the Beatrice offshore wind farm project was a huge success and we enjoyed speaking with all the businesses that took time to attend our event and find out more about our plans for the project. Further events are planned in the near future and we look forward to engaging further with the local supply chain in Wick and Elgin.”

Calum Davidson, Director of Energy and Low Carbon at HIE, said: "Highlands and Islands Enterprise is delighted to be working with SSE and its project partners on the Beatrice Open4Business events. The development could provide significant opportunity to the supply chain in the area; and we are confident that local companies have an excellent range of skills and capabilities to contribute to its success."

For further information on future Beatrice Open4Business events please contact Kirstanne Land, Liaison Manager on 0141 224 7569 or email Kirstanne.land@sse.com. Information and registration for the events can be found on the Beatrice project website: www.sse.com/beatrice.