(Image: SSE Energy)
SSE Renewables has announced that more than £4.5 million has been spent so far with local suppliers in the initial stage of the Viking Energy Wind Farm project in Shetland.
Between June and the end of November of 2020, more than 30 firms in Shetland have been involved in the project – including Tulloch Developments Limited, whose team of 25 skilled workers recently completed the creation of an access road.
Currently, the project has 52 local workers who are employed by R.J. McLeod and SSE Renewables. SSE Renewables said that it is planned that this number will increase as the build progresses.
The energy firm added that project colleagues are now working in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, through their Open4Business web portal, to make sure potential suppliers can find out about opportunities as easily as possible.
SSE Renewables’ Derek Hastings, who is director of the project, said, “Working closely with local businesses and tradespeople is crucial to every SSE Renewables development as we want to make sure the financial benefits of our projects are shared with the communities that we are part of.
“Over the coming years, there’ll be many more opportunities for local businesses of all sizes and tradespeople in Shetland to enter the supply chain as the project progresses.
“These opportunities will range from providing equipment and trade services, to working on-site during construction, to providing operational support once the turbines start turning.
“We will continue to make it our priority to ensure a wide variety of employment opportunities are made available to as many local people as possible.”
