Thistle Wind Partners (TWP), a leading developer of fixed and floating offshore wind farms, has won the Supply Chain Development Award at this year’s Scottish Renewables’ Scottish Green Energy Supply Chain Awards, recognising the impact of the developer’s Supply Chain Pathways Programme.

The Pathways Programme links local supply chain firms with major international contractors at an earlier stage in the offshore wind development process, making it easier for Scottish companies to become pre-qualified suppliers to Tier 1 contractors and help companies compete for large-scale projects with confidence. 

Companies that meet the Pathways Programme’s required standards are added to a supplier framework, which gives them the opportunity to bid for work on projects across the UK and internationally.

Organised by Scottish Renewables, The Scottish Green Energy Supply Chain Awards acknowledge outstanding contributions to building a competitive, sustainable supply chain that supports Scotland’s renewable energy ambitions and delivers long-term economic and environmental benefits.

Gavin MacKay, Supply Chain Manager at TWP, said: 
“The award celebrates our commitment to creating real opportunities for Scottish businesses in the offshore wind sector. By working with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and our industry partners, the benefits of the programme go beyond individual companies and contracts. 

“We’re helping to grow the number of Scottish companies able to compete in offshore wind, building skills and capabilities that will strengthen the sector for years to come. 

“By mapping out our future requirements for the supply chain in detail, we can see clearly where local capability already exists, as well as where investment and targeted support would make the biggest difference.

“This award is a fantastic recognition of the hard work our partners and suppliers have put in to developing and executing the Pathways Programme.”

Thistle Wind Partners is developing Bowdun, an offshore wind farm located off the Aberdeenshire coast which is set to have the capacity to power more than 1.2 million households, and Ayre, an offshore wind farm located to the east of Orkney and north-east of Caithness, which will contribute 1GW renewable energy to the National Grid once operational.