Ports from across Scotland including Aberdeen, Peterhead and Fraserburgh have teamed up to form a new group to make more of emerging opportunities in offshore wind.
The newly-formed Scottish Offshore Wind Ports Alliance (Sowpa) boasts supply chain expertise across manufacturing and fabrication through to marshalling, assembly, and operations and maintenance.
By working together, the ports aim to tackle “common and complex industry challenges through knowledge sharing and collaboration”.
Collectively, the aim is to improve regional competitiveness and enhance the value proposition in support of ScotWind, INTOG and future offshore wind leasing rounds.
Iain Sinclair, executive director at Global Energy Group, said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates that ports are motivated to take the initiative, work proactively and diligently together, and align with the whole offshore wind ecosystem, to maximise the localisation of the supply chain requirements.
“SOWPA’s collective capability, knowledge and expertise is a world leading value proposition – we have a willingness and appetite to enhance our competitiveness, address supply chain challenges and deliver against Scotland and the UK’s offshore wind ambitions.
“The crucial role of Scotland’s Green Freeports also cannot be understated,“ he continued, adding: “They will be essential in attracting inward investment and paving the way for new supply chain opportunities, which will have a catalytic effect on the pace of deployment.”
Minister for Climate Action Gillian Martin said: “Scotland’s ports are crucial in helping unlock our huge offshore wind potential, and private investment - stimulated by up to £500m of Scottish Government backing over the next five years - will be critical to the continued growth of the sector.
“Partners across the sector and wider supply chain have already shown a strong appetite to take a strategic and collaborative approach to delivering investment in ports, manufacturing and fabrication, and the establishment of the Offshore Wind Ports Alliance will ensure that, collectively, our world-leading infrastructure facilities are optimised to deliver our offshore renewables revolution.”