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6. Supply Chain
Scotland's existing strengths in design, manufacturing and engineering provide an ideal base for the further development of domestic supply chains to service the growing renewables sector, across a range of technologies.
With world-class assets and skills in our off-shore industries, in hydro power, and in the installation of our many existing renewables projects, there are clearly a range of excellent opportunities for developers and suppliers alike, from environmental services to fabrication and testing, through to the fast expanding need for operations and maintenance activity.
The growth in several technology families, including renewable heat, will require the scaling up of supply chains still in their relative infancy. Key needs to assist this development across all technologies include:
- understanding current provision capabilities;
- understanding needs and the scale of need for future development;
- raising awareness of the long term renewables opportunities amongst the company base (including the need for mass and batch production);
- one to one engagement with companies to provide advice and facilitate connections with developers;
- attracting investment to achieve scale-up
3 key actions over 2009:
SEn/ HIE study of Scottish renewables supply chain companies
This report is based on a Scotland-wide survey of companies with the potential to be active in the supply chains across the renewable technologies. It will serve as a critical tool in targeting future development activity (summer 09)
Marine Energy Group supply chain study for wave and tidal sectors
This industry-led initiative will not only detail for the first time the supply chain needs of the marine energy sector, but also provide a template for further similar studies in other sectors (summer 09)
Crown Estate "marketplace" events for off-shore wind supply chain
The Crown Estate is coordinating a series of events across Scotland for consortia involved in offshore wind development to meet and explore Scottish and UK wide opportunities with local supply chain companies (late 2009 / early 2010).
Further suggestions from a June meeting of the Forum of Renewable Development in Scotland included: Assessment of need in other sectors: Using the template developed by the Marine Energy sector, studies will in due course be undertaken on other technologies from off-shore wind to renewable heat. The timing and recommendations of these studies will be determined by the various industry-specific advisory groups, in conjunction with the FREDS group. Scottish Enterprise to consider: Tasking the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service to develop a renewables focus and implementing a supplier development programme, akin to the model for the electronics sector. SEPA to consider: Tracking of legislation and changes in regulation made available to support the supply chain. These ideas are being further explored, and will be revisited at the next FREDS meeting, with subsequent agreed actions to be updated within this plan. |
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