OFFSHORE WIND EVENT SHOWS LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES 

Angus MP Mike Weir attended the Offshore Wind Share Fair organised by Scottish Enterprise and the Crown Estate in Aberdeen this week. The object of the fair was to bring together the developers of the proposed offshore windfarms with firms interested in becoming involved as part of the supply chain. The meeting was very well attended. 

Commenting on the meeting Mr Weir said it was useful to speak to a large cross section of people involved in the industry. 

“The proposed development of the Inchcape and Bell Rock windfarms off the coast of Angus provide a huge economic opportunity to create real sustainable jobs.” 

“It is vital that as many  local firms as possible look at the opportunities that may be available not only in the construction phase but in the ongoing operation and maintenance phase which will provide jobs well into the future.” 

“The North Sea oil and gas industry showed how we can develop skills that can be exported around the world. Many of these same skills can help develop the new renewable energy industry, indeed much of the equipment currently being used is from the oil and gas industry.” 

“The scale of the development within Scottish territorial waters and the adjacent renewable energy zone is very impressive and it is vital that we take the opportunity to ensure that Angus benefits from that and we do not simply end up importing equipment and skills.”