HORNSEA ONE – THE STORY SO FAR
FEATURE SPONSOR
RIDING ON THE CREST OF A GREEN ENERGY WAVE
Adam Ottley, a solicitor specialising in corporate and commercial law with Wilkin Chapman solicitors, advises businesses on how they can position themselves to seize opportunities in the growing renewables sector within the Humber region
The burgeoning offshore wind industry has been hailed as a ‘golden dawn’ for the Humber region. Its growth over the last decade represents a sea-change in the prosperity of the east coast, with many saying the turbines that we see offshore will do for the Humber, ‘what oil did for Aberdeen’.
OPPORTUNITIES
But what of the opportunities that this affords to businesses in the region and how can they position themselves so they are best able to capitalise?
For some the prospect of getting a foothold in the renewables’ supply chain can perhaps seem daunting, but there are certainly major benefits in aiming for success.
For example, just a few weeks ago it was revealed how UK firm Rix Sea Shuttle had been commissioned to provide two crew transfer vessels, sailing out of Grimsby to the Orsted- led Hornsea Project One.
Meanwhile further up the coast, half of the transition pieces for the project will be manufactured in Teesside, by EEW Offshore Structures.
It is evident that these two companies are larger enterprises, but what these case studies do represent is a willingness by Orsted to award contracts to UK companies that
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demonstrate professionalism, quality and reputation.
CONSIDERATION There are certainly issues that SMEs will need to consider, so as to ensure they are viewed favourably when being considered for contracts.
Many SMEs will operate with little specialist in-house legal expertise. Therefore, a broad legal review of an SME’s operations may well be needed before it comes to being vetted for contracts by the larger, European wind industry giants. This is of course alongside it being crucial to gain advice on the terms of the contract itself.
a current long-term lease, or what is required to secure new premises.
WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT The lack of any permanent HR facility is another understandable gap for many SMEs. However, SMEs must put themselves on a strong footing when engaging new consultants, or temporary or permanent employees. The last thing any firm wants is to start a major contract and face issues with its workforce half way through.
As an alternative to ‘going it alone’, in recent years there has been evidence of SMEs looking to collaborate, allowing businesses to join forces to win larger contracts. This has been effective in some cases, with smaller
...the offshore wind industry has been hailed as a ‘golden dawn’ for the Humber region
Confidence in the SME’s ability to deliver contracts safely and on time must also be assured and for some this may involve looking at investing in larger premises, upscaling their own supply chain and employing more staff. Again, this is where sound legal advice must be delivered so that the SME is clear as to how it can release itself from
companies working in collaboration to secure those larger contracts.
SUPPORT
Within the Humber region, the Team Humber Marine Alliance is one organisation that works with and supports companies to look at the options available to them. The
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