Opportunity to get in on wind power ground floor
Sep 22 2010 by Iain Laing, The Journal
BUSINESS opportunities in the fast-growing renewable energy sector will be showcased at a major conference in the North East next month.
Multinational companies from around the world are expected to link up with businesses from the region at the forefront of the sector at The Future of Offshore Wind.
The National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) is organising the event and, from its base in Blyth in Northumberland, is driving the growth of the North East as well as the country as a global centre for the renewables industry.
The UK is already the world’s leading generator of offshore wind power and the country’s ambitions for new installed capacity will require investments in the order of £100bn over the next 10 years.
The Future of Offshore Wind aims to provide North East companies with a valuable insight into the opportunities in the offshore wind supply chain in the short and longer-term. It is hoped to reinforce Narec’s role in helping businesses build plans to benefit from the sector’s continued growth through technology-led innovation.
Narec chief executive Andrew Mill said: “Over the next decade, investment in offshore wind power generation capacity is going to be on the same scale that we witnessed during the rapid growth of the North Sea oil and gas industry in the 1970s.
“Narec has put the North East on the world map in the renewable energy sector – the region now has to convert the huge potential opportunity here into sustainable business.
“The Future of Offshore Wind can be a major milestone in achieving that. We have brought together major international players in the industry, representing hugely influential organisations.
“Not only will the conference help this region’s firms gain a clear insight into how the offshore wind power sector will develop and what opportunities there will be within it, but the event will also provide an outstanding chance to network and develop relationships that can lead to real, long-term business.”
Narec, through its recently created Renewables Network, has lined up speakers from international companies that represent all parts of the offshore wind power industry.
Major firms such as Vattenfall, EON, Garrad Hassan, Vestas, MPI Offshore and JDR Cables will be participating in the event.
The conference also coincides with visits to the North East of high- profile renewable energy trade delegations from the USA and Norway. Influential individuals representing the public and private sectors will also attend.
The Future of Offshore Wind will take place at Hardwick Hall Hotel on October 21. For further information and to book a place, contact Narec on events@narec.co.uk or 01670 357 338.
