OnPath Energy and South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) hosted an onshore wind “developer forum” in Hamilton, Scotland earlier this month to map out opportunities for local investment.
The event was aimed at “maximising economic benefits by raising awareness of supply chain opportunities for local businesses as the region prepares for up to 1.8GW of new onshore wind capacity by 2035”, according to OnPath, which chaired the meeting alongside SLC members.
The company said an estimated £1.2bn will be spent on construction in the region over the next 10 year, which creates an opportunity for local businesses to “capture hundreds of millions of pounds through supply chain opportunities, if properly prepared”.
Other developers working in the region, including 3R Energy, attended the forum, as well as trade association Scottish Renewables and consultancy Biggar Economics.
The meeting focused on three priority workstreams of supply chain collaboration, skills and STEM engagement, and transport management planning.
It included discussions around construction timelines, meet-the-buyer events and targeted communications campaigns to raise awareness of opportunities and improve access for local businesses hoping to join the supply chain, OnPath said.
A second forum is scheduled for later this year.
OnPath sustainability and community director Robin Winstanley said: “We’re facing a once-in-a-generation opportunity in South Lanarkshire, but we also recognise the responsibility that comes with it.
“Our projects must do more than generate clean power. They must deliver real, lasting value to local communities and businesses.
“The developer forum was about making sure we collaborate early and often to maximise benefits for the local economy, deliver projects that have wide and lasting benefits for communities and listen to local voices when considering transport management plans.”
South Lanarkshire councillor Robert Brown added: “We recognise that the developer forum will help maximise the benefit of investment in the renewable sector in South Lanarkshire.
“It is key to our local communities, businesses, and residents that they benefit directly from this potentially sizeable investment through contracts, jobs, and training.
“Developers working collaboratively with the council and local agencies through the forum will help maximise this opportunity.”
3R Energy development director Theo Philip said: “This wasn’t just another talking shop. As a local business ourselves, we recognise the importance of delivering a significant proportion of wind farm construction contracts to local companies.
“With a series of projects in the pipeline, there is a massive opportunity to bring real investment and jobs to South Lanarkshire, but that won’t happen by chance.
“We hope that this forum will serve as a practical first step in agreeing shared timelines, aligning procurement where we can, and creating an environment where local businesses are not only aware of opportunities but ready and able to deliver.
“It’s about making sure this next decade of renewables brings real value to local people and the local economy.”