Highland Businesses Given Help to Seize Wind Farm Opportunities

1st October 2012

One of the UK's leading renewable energy developers is holding Meet the Buyer events in Inverness and Thurso for businesses interested in seizing opportunities in the growing sector.

RWE npower renewables, an already established developer and operator of both wind farms and hydro electric plants in the region, is hosting the session for the wide range of businesses which could play a part in projects they, and other developers, have in the pipeline for the Highlands and Islands.

Working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Energy North, the RWE npower renewables' Meet the Buyer events are being held on the evenings of Tuesday (9th October) at Inverness Caledonian Football Club and on Wednesday (10th October) at North Highland College in Thurso.

Representatives from the firm, and from Balfour Beatty and I & H Brown will be on hand to give advice on the procurement process, and to explain the type of contracts available during development, construction and operational stages of a wind or hydro development.

Andrew Wrightson, RWE npower renewables' Head of Procurement said: "It is our aim to make use of local contractors wherever possible as was the case with the construction of our recently opened Novar 2 Wind Farm in Ross-shire, where 81% of the civil works contract spend went to local businesses.

"We want local businesses with the appropriate skills to capitalise on the opportunities available in the sector. These Meet the Buyer events allow us to meet local and regional companies to explain the opportunities available, and give them the knowledge and understanding to position themselves effectively in the overall supply chain."

Elain Cameron from HIE said: "The Highlands and Islands has some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe. In addition to the natural resources, the region is home to a wide range of businesses with the expertise in the sector, but with so many developments planned or underway there are clearly more opportunities for businesses to get involved. We would encourage companies interested in tapping into these opportunities to come along to the events."

RWE npower renewables is interested in meeting with firms delivering a wide range of construction site, maintenance and operations products and services.

Angela Wilson of Energy North, said: "These events are a great opportunity for individual businesses to hear direct from an experienced operator how they can be a part of the development of the renewable energy sector. It's also an excellent opportunity to make connections with other like-minded businesses."

Attendance at the Meet the Buyer Evenings is FREE but participants must register in advance on the booking hotline:

http://energynorth.co.uk/Events/-Meet-the-Buyer--event---Inverness.aspx

http://energynorth.co.uk/Events/-Meet-the-Buyer--event---Caithness.aspx

RWE npower renewables is the UK subsidiary of RWE Innogy and one of the UK's leading renewable energy developers and operators. We are committed to developing and operating renewable energy projects to produce sustainable electricity.

We operate 21 hydroelectric power schemes, 25 onshore wind farms and two offshore wind farms, including the UK's first major offshore wind farm, North Hoyle. RWE npower renewables is currently constructing its first biomass CHP power plant in Scotland, and the 576 megawatt Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm, off the North Wales coast.

From development, to construction and operation, our 453 staff in area offices across Wales, Scotland and England work in close partnership with local communities and with companies. In 2011, renewable energy sites operated by RWE npower renewables invested nearly £794,000 into communities across the UK. The investments made by RWE in the UK are creating substantial new jobs opportunities, developing the supply chain and, very importantly, helping the UK Government achieve the EU target of supplying 30% of electricity from renewables, by 2020.

RWE Innogy pools the renewable energy expertise and generating plant of the RWE Group. RWE Innogy is fully committed to growth in renewable energy across Europe, and has a current pan-European pipeline of 17.3GW. The UK will continue to play a significant role in the delivery of this pipeline.

RWE npower renewables is a sister company to RWE npower, a leading integrated UK energy company with around 6.8 million customer accounts. RWE npower also owns and operates a flexible portfolio of conventional power stations as well as a portfolio of cogeneration plant producing more than 10% of the electricity used in England and Wales.

In Scotland RWE npower renewables operate 12 hydroelectric projects and nine onshore wind projects. As well as developing a number of onshore wind and hydro sites, RWE npower renewables is currently constructing Novar 2 onshore wind farm and Black Rock hydro scheme, both South of Inverness.

The company is also constructing a 49MW biomass CHP plant in Markinch, Fife, due to be completed in early 2013.

RWE npower renewables has over 40 employees based in Scotland, with area offices in Perthshire and the Highlands. The company is also proud sponsor of Scotland's oldest shinty club, Kingussie Shinty Club.