© Supplied by SSE Scottish Renewables and RenewableUK have backed a revamped supply chain initiative from the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) regulator.
The move will see the two trade bodies encourage their members to advertise lucrative supply chain contracts on the Pathfinder online portal.
Joint government and industry bodies the Offshore Wind Industry Council and the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council are also supporting the initiative.
The NSTA originally launched Energy Pathfinder in 2010 to help offshore service companies to target work opportunities within the oil and gas sector.
In recent years, Pathfinder has expanded to cover a range of decommissioning, operations and maintenance, and energy transition projects including carbon capture and storage.
The online portal currently hosts information for more than 20 offshore wind projects, which will now be split between floating and fixed-bottom developments.
The NSTA said the improvements will allow supply chain firms to gain greater visibility of opportunities to tender for contracts across the energy sector.
NSTA head of supply chain Bill Cattanach said revamped Pathfinder is a “big step up”.
“The support from RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables has helped us enhance a tool that made its name with the oil and gas industry but has been refocused to cover all emerging energy and decarbonisation sectors,” Cattanach said.
“It is fast becoming a vital energy transition tool for suppliers.”
More opportunities for UK supply chain
RenewableUK deputy chief executive Jane Cooper said the upgraded Pathfinder portal will help developers get in touch with suppliers more easily, creating opportunities for UK companies.
“Growing the UK’s onshore and offshore wind supply chains are key priorities for our industry to ensure that we take full advantage of the economic opportunities that the transition to renewable energy offers our country,” Cooper said.
“The potential for growth is enormous – the offshore wind industry’s supply chain could triple in size over the next 10 years, creating 10,000 extra jobs and boosting the UK’s economy by £25 billion, as identified in the sector’s industrial growth plan.”
© Supplied by Ross Creative CommunScottish Renewables director of the supply chain and energy transition Emma Harrick said the organisation worked closely with its members and the NSTA to tailor the Pathfinder portal for the renewable energy industry.
“Clean energy already supports 47,000 jobs in Scotland and as the industry continues to grow, so do opportunities for suppliers across Scotland and the UK,” Harrick said.
“The portal now provides on and offshore wind businesses with clear visibility of available tender invitations while enabling developers to connect with a broader network of local companies.
“This marks a positive step forward in improving access to opportunities for the growing clean energy supply chain and we encourage not only project buyers but also tier 1 contractors and all levels of the supply chain ecosystem to make full use of the platform.”
