Onshore wind developers, East Ayrshire Council’s Economic Development Service, the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and local businesses met yesterday to advance the £2 billion investment opportunity presented by onshore wind projects in the region over the next five years.
Local renewable energy developer OnPath Energy hosted the inaugural and first of its kind East Ayrshire Developer Forum which aims to strengthen collaboration and increase the economic benefit opportunities in the local supply chain from planned onshore wind investment.
The forum is designed to help ensure that the scale of investment expected across the area translates into real outcomes for local people and businesses measured in local jobs, business growth, and opportunities that encourage young people to stay in, or return to, the area.
The event marks a joint commitment between the development community and the public sector to improve coordination, visibility and planning around upcoming onshore wind projects. It comes after recommendations made in the Scottish Government’s Onshore Wind Sector Deal facilitating local contractors, suppliers and training establishments to prepare in advance and compete for contracts with confidence.
A study undertaken by Edinburgh-based independent economic consultancy BIGGAR Economics found that onshore wind projects in the East Ayrshire pipeline over the next five years could deliver a £2 billion investment in the local economy.
Robin Winstanley, sustainability and marketing director at OnPath Energy explained why OnPath is championing the forum, “Over the last twenty years we’ve seen firsthand the benefits onshore wind brings for local businesses and communities. The independent analysis undertaken by BIGGAR demonstrates the huge scale of the opportunity and what can be achieved with public and private sector collaboration.
“This proactive and collaborative approach ensures that we turn investment into opportunity for local businesses maximising the benefits we can all deliver for the East Ayrshire economy whilst delivering on the aims of Scottish Government’s onshore wind sector deal.”
Future ambitions of the group include joint meet-the-buyer events to maximise impact and share data and closer working with other partners including the Distribution Network Operator’s (DNO) to support better phasing and coordination in construction. A joint communications approach to raise awareness of the benefits of investment has also been agreed.
Iain Cockburn from Brockwell Group added, “The Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal is clear that collaboration between developers is essential if we’re serious about maximising economic benefit. Forums like this give local businesses real visibility of what’s coming, allowing them to plan, invest and build capacity with confidence.
“By working together, we can make sure the scale of onshore wind investment in East Ayrshire translates into jobs, skills and long‑term opportunities for the local economy.”
The forum will provide a platform for further work on skills planning, inclusive procurement and STEM engagement opportunities.
David McDowall, Head of Economic Growth from East Ayrshire Council commented, “This collaboration supports our Community Wealth Building ambitions and provides a huge opportunity in East Ayrshire to realise the benefits onshore wind can deliver for local businesses and our communities as well as the potential to deliver skilled jobs, apprenticeships and meaningful opportunities for young people without them having to leave the place they call home.”
Following the event the group is expected to develop project timelines and procurement requirements to help local suppliers plan recruitment, invest in equipment and upskill teams with the Economic Development delivering this targeted business support.
It is hoped that the first ‘Meet the Buyer’ event will take place later this year where local businesses will be invited to learn more about future work and tender opportunities. It will be led by East Ayrshire Council Economic Development Service and the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce.
