Fred. Olsen Renewables and Vattenfall, who have placed a joint bid in the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round, have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with two Orkney offshore service providers, Green Marine and Leask Marine, and Orkney Harbour Authority.
According to the developers, the agreements will facilitate the development of local suppliers, enable the creation of highly skilled jobs, and maximise the opportunities that offshore wind can bring to the area, should their bid in the ScotWind auction be successful.
The three MoUs will see the local suppliers work collaboratively to deliver large scale offshore wind contracts and focus on committing to utilise local skills and services, whilst supporting the local businesses to expand and be ready for future business demands, including preparing for the purchase of new assets and training staff in key skills areas.
The planned investment in these local businesses will also help to ensure that they can be lead suppliers on developments undertaken by the partnership locally as well as by wider industry across Scotland, Vattenfal and Fred. Olsen Renewables said.
The two companies entered into a 50/50 partnership to bid in the ScotWind leasing round earlier this year.
The partner then said that, dependent on a successful award, they would focus on achieving maximum value for the Scottish economy through creating a local and sustainable supply chain in Scotland and would bring long-term economic benefits to local communities.
In July, several days after the application period for ScotWind closed, Crown Estate Scotland reported that it had received 74 applications for 15 areas of seabed available for development through the Scottish Government’s Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy.
The Scottish seabed manager plans to make initial offers for the first option agreements to successful applicants in January 2022.