Scottish ports announce offshore wind alliance in bid to be industry world leaders

SCOTTISH ports have formed an alliance in a bid to optimise opportunities from offshore wind farms, it has been announced.

The Scottish Offshore Wind Ports Alliance (SOWPA) is a collaboration between sites in Scotland that manufacture, assemble, maintain, and marshal key components for offshore wind farms.

Members of the alliance include Port of Nigg, Ardersier, Port of Cromarty Firth, Port of Aberdeen, and Stornoway.

The SOWPA will actively look for opportunities to enhance the offshore wind farm sector while also fast-tracking the required expertise to support the industry.

Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, announced the coalition of the ports at the All-Energy conference, an exhibition on renewable and low-carbon energy.

She said: “I’m delighted to mark the announcement of the establishment of the Scottish Offshore Wind Ports Alliance which I think demonstrates exactly what is needed, that appetite for strategic collaboration towards delivering the truly transformational polices that we need for a Net Zero future.

“These accomplishments in recent years, and this week alone, serve to powerfully demonstrate what I think is the case that Scotland is fast becoming a renewables powerhouse.”

Màiri McAllan announced the ports alliance at the All-Energy conference in Glasgow  

Iain Sinclair, Global Energy Group executive director, also echoed McAllan’s comments as he said the alliance possesses the capability, knowledge, and expertise to be world leaders in the industry.

He said: “It is widely recognised that ports have a critical enabling role in the industrialisation and deployment of offshore wind in the UK.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that ports are motivated to take the initiative, work proactively and diligently together, and align with the whole offshore wind ecosystem, to maximise the localisation of the supply chain requirements.

“SOWPA’s collective capability, knowledge and expertise is a world-leading value proposition.

“We have a willingness and appetite to enhance our competitiveness, address supply chain challenges and deliver against Scotland and the UK’s offshore wind ambitions.”