Plug into wind: supply chain networking with Vattenfall

Local businesses are invited to connect with one of Europe’s biggest renewable energy developers at an event in Dumfries this September.

Vattenfall will be spotlighting how smaller, local businesses can join their supply chain at a networking evening in Dumfries’ Cairndale Hotel. The South Kyle Wind Farm developer also wants to hear feedback on how they can encourage and enable more small businesses to supply their major projects and contribute to Scotland’s drive towards a Net Zero. Plus, the early evening event will be a chance for local businesses network and to find out more about Vattenfall’s pipeline apprenticeship programme.

Besides construction and engineering related businesses, Vattenfall are keen to connect with a wide range of service suppliers such as accommodation providers, workwear suppliers, caterers, cleaners, photographers, vehicle providers, signwriters, health and safety specialists and communications and telecoms companies, as well as professions directly associated with renewables development including hydrology , archaeology, habitat management, wildlife monitoring and tree cultivation.

Following the inauguration of South Kyle Wind Farm north of Carsphairn this summer, Vattenfall is proposing further renewables investment in the region with a 14 turbine wind farm at Quantans Hill. South Kyle Wind Farm saw Vattenfall pioneer a new locally-focussed approach to procurement, with around £44million spent with local businesses, a 67% local workforce and engagement with more than 500 local youngsters.

Now Vattenfall is keen to build on this with its Quantans Hill development which, if consented, could be constructed around 2025-2027 with an estimated £7million to the local economy.

Matthew Bacon, Vattenfall’s Project Manager for Quantans Hill Wind Farm, said:

“Our approach at South Kyle Wind Farm demonstrated what can be achieved when a developer focusses on maximising opportunities for local businesses. It also underscored the value that local businesses can bring to major projects through their own local knowledge, connections and the local people they employ directly and support through their own supply chains. With Quantans Hill Wind Farm our goal is to build on this, and deliver yet more social and economic value to the south west of Scotland. To do that we are connecting with more Dumfries and Galloway companies, many who have never considered wind farms as a potential source of business, and we want to hear from them what more we, as a developer, can do to enable smaller businesses to be part of our supply chain.”

Vattenfall’s ‘Plug Into Wind’ event takes place on Thursday 14th September at Dumfries’ Cairndale Hotel with registration and coffees from 5.30-6pm, followed by a presentation from the Vattenfall team, networking opportunities and a chance for potential suppliers to speak with the developer’s procurement team one-to-one.

Book online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/plug-into-wind-supply-chain-networking-with-vattenfall-tickets-699649549637?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

www.vattenfall.co.uk/southkyle www.vattenfall.co.uk/quantanshill