South Yorkshire Businesses to Enter Renewable Energy Supply Chain

BUSINESSES in South Yorkshire are being offered help to enter the renewable energy industry’s vast supply chain.

The region and its companies – many of which are leaders in engineering and research fields – are ideally placed to take advantage of new green opportunities.

But industry experts say the area’s businesses risk losing out, including to overseas rivals, unless they plan a route into the sector’s extensive supply networks.

Now, an awareness and supply chain conference is being staged to tackle some of the key issues that could prevent firms across Yorkshire from securing long-term work in the market.

Renewable Energy: A Guide For Business is being held on Tuesday, July 17 at Doncaster Racecourse and is sponsored by Nabarro.

The event, organised by the Renewables Network and Footprint Renewables, will feature several speakers, including representatives from The Crown Estate, E.ON, Drax and the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Sam Pick, business development director of the Humber-based Renewables Network – which helps companies enter the green energy market – said: “Yorkshire and the Humber is becoming a key European centre for renewables technology and commerce, particularly around biomass and marine energy, such as offshore wind and tidal power.

“This gives businesses across the region a great chance to form part of the supply chains required in each of these sectors. Indeed, South Yorkshire will be the hinterland for much of this work around the Humber itself and can provide expertise in hi-tech manufacturing and engineering.

 “But the work will not come easily or automatically simply because of our geography.

 “The giants of the renewables industry are not restricted to using locally-based companies, they can choose existing supply chains elsewhere in the UK or beyond – wherever they find the best guarantees on quality, safety and cost.

 “Businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber can deliver these, but their awareness of the industry has to improve and the preparation must begin without delay.”

The Humber is emerging as the UK’s hub for renewable energy and stands to benefit from an estimated £15 billion investment in offshore wind power alone, while several bio-energy and biomass projects are already operational in Yorkshire.

Renewable Energy: A Guide For Business will provide an overview of this market and the opportunities available. Delegates will also hear about the type of suppliers the sector needs directly and indirectly, the accreditations required before tendering for work and the level of guarantees the industry demands in terms of quality, safety and delivery.

There will also be information on where to search for tenders and the timescales involved in the some of the major renewables projects – such as the Round Three wind zones in the North Sea.

Co-organising the event is Footprint Renewables, a Humber-based public relations and marketing company that works with green energy companies.

 Andrew Morton, account director of Footprint Renewables, said: “Whether your business is just starting up, is diversifying into renewables or is already established and would like to benefit from the latest industry information, this event will provide an essential guide.

 “Meeting the challenge presented by the fast-paced renewables industry is entirely possible for our region, but we have to plan and prepare now to secure work in a sector that presents a true industrial revolution.”

 Confirmed speakers at the July 17 conference at Doncaster Racecourse include:

Richard Kendall – general manager, Humber Local Enterprise Partnership

Sam Pick – business development director, Renewables Network

Jonny Boston, of The Crown Estate’s Round Three development team

Toby Lee – offshore wind project manager, E.ON

John Britton – director, Renewables Network

Marc Paisch – director, Pulse Tidal

Chris Whitelock – managing director, Pure Renewables

Andrew Morton – account director, Footprint Renewables

And a representative from Drax

The conference will also provide a useful chance to network with other people and businesses involved in an industry that is now ready to find long-term partners in the UK.

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, June 27, 2012