Scots commission study to help SMEs in offshore wind

BVG Associates has begun a new study to help pave the way for Scottish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the offshore wind sector.

The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council commissioned the research with the aim of helping SMEs win business in the global offshore wind market.

The council’s Supply Chain and Clusters group and BVG Associates are reviewing how contracts are awarded in other sectors.

Analysts will investigate best-practice in offshore wind as well as the oil & gas, aerospace and automotive industries and others to provide a blueprint for supply chain companies to get involved in the sector.

BVG Associates has already begun fieldwork and will be contacting businesses in the supply chain and beyond in the first few months of 2021.

The report, expected to be delivered by March, will also explore the opportunity for greater collaboration throughout the supply chain.

Although focused on Scotland, the study will also look at the wider UK and international markets for export opportunities.

“This exercise is an important step to achieving a strengthened supply chain in Scottish offshore wind projects,” said Colin Palmer, Director of Marine at Crown Estate Scotland.

“It will look at a number of areas including the Scottish content baseline and the opportunities and barriers for supply chain participation in offshore wind from many perspectives. We are very much looking forward to the results of this work and, in particular, how it can support Supply Chain Development for ScotWind.”