The developer of a new offshore wind farm has joined the Caithness Chamber of Commerce with an ambition to maximise the long-term economic benefits the project will bring to the north of Scotland.
In January the West of Orkney Windfarm secured the rights to an area of seabed from the Crown Estate Scotland in the ScotWind process, to bring forward a 2GW wind farm around 25 km north of the Sutherland coast.
The project is being developed by a joint venture comprising Corio Generation, TotalEnergies and Renewable Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG).
Scheduled to be generating electricity by 2030, the project will be capable of powering the equivalent of more than two million homes for decades to come.
The developer has now joined the Caithness Chamber of Commerce as a diamond partner – the chamber’s highest level of membership.
This will help the wind farm engage with the local supply chain in Caithness and the north of Scotland and maximise the opportunities for local businesses during both construction and the longer-term operations of the project.
In October last year the project partners announced a £105m investment initiative that will be enhanced to £140m by third parties to support the offshore wind supply chain locally, in Scotland and across the UK ahead of a final investment decision in 2026.
Commenting on the new membership, West of Orkney Windfarm Development Manager Jack Farnham, said: “Our membership of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce underlines our commitment to working closely with local businesses and the communities in the north of Scotland to maximise the long-term economic and social benefits this project will bring.
“Our ambition is to deliver up to half of the project’s content in Scotland over its lifetime and we believe the best way to achieve this is through close collaboration with industry and the communities in which we operate, supported by targeted investment where appropriate.
“We have received a very warm welcome from Trudy and her team, and we look forward to working closely with the chamber to help enhance the capacity and opportunities for businesses in the north of Scotland.”
Trudy Morris, Chief Executive Officer of Caithness Chamber of Commerce said: “We are delighted to welcome the West of Orkney Windfarm to the Chamber as a Diamond Premier Partner.
“This is a significant commitment not just to the Chamber but to the local business community.
“We look forward to working closely with Jack and his team over the coming years to help maximise opportunities for the local supply chain and optimise the socio-economic benefits for the region.”