Local firms offered share of wind energy market
Over two hundred local companies have discovered how to take advantage of business opportunities worth in excess of £100 billion in the emerging offshore wind renewable energy sector.
The firms were given advice at an offshore wind energy supply chain event in Belfast organised by Invest NI, in partnership with The Crown Estate, and with part funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
Local companies heard about plans to develop offshore wind farms around the UK’s coastline as part of The Crown Estate offshore leasing programme.
The Crown Estate awarded the wind farm contracts earlier this year and the successful developers are now seeking companies to feed into their supply chains. A high volume of associated supply chain work is expected to result from the installation of over 7000 wind turbines by 2020.
The supply chain events, which started in January, have taken place throughout the regions of the UK, providing a marketplace to help companies do business and become involved in offshore wind developments. The potential for the industry is huge, with The Crown Estate’s latest leasing round aiming to deliver a quarter of the UK’s electricity needs by 2020.
Olive Hill, Director of Technology and Process Development at Invest NI, said: “This offshore wind energy event was an excellent opportunity to showcase the strength of Northern Ireland’s research capability and skills base in the renewable energy sector. The event has highlighted the extensive experience and local expertise in key areas such as marine energy technology and composite materials. In addition, it has helped local companies make contact with potential new valuable customers.
“It is of strategic importance that Invest NI supports the companies involved in this Offshore Wind Energy Supply Chain as it will benefit them in the future.’’
Roger Bright, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate said over 3,000 delegates had attended the offshore wind industry supply chain events held across the country since January.
“Offshore wind is a developing industry, which is creating some of the largest infrastructure projects in the world with a potential market investment of over 100 billion. With this comes the prospect of tens of thousands of jobs and a significant boost to the UK economy.”
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Weather for Belfast
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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