More than 60 local businesses looking for a toe-hold in Dundee's burgeoning renewables industry have signed up for a seminar focussing on the opportunities.

Dundee Renewables has put together the event, which will feature speakers from major wind power player, Sea Energy Renewables, as well as the organisation's partners and Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, who call on the collective expertise of Dundee City Council, Scottish Enterprise and Forth Ports, leader of Dundee City Council Ken Guild said: "The overwhelming response to the event, and the wide range of opportunities that the renewables industry will create for Dundee and Angus, means that this is only the first in a number of similar seminars we have planned.

"The event, and the interest it has created, demonstrates the vital importance placed on the sector by Dundee Renewables and firms in the city and beyond who wish to be a part of it.

"Dundee is the closest large scale port to the offshore wind development zones recently identified by the Scottish Government and the Crown Estate just off the Tay, along with the outer Firth of Forth, and so we have an excellent opportunity to secure a large proportion of the employment that will be generated around construction, installation and future maintenance."

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Kevin Bazley industries and commercialisation team leader, Scottish Enterprise, said: "There are real opportunities for businesses to participate in the supply chain of the renewables industry and this event sets out to raise awareness of the opportunities and how to take advantage of them."

Since its launch last year Dundee Renewables has been highlighting the city's facilities to companies in, or supplying to, the emerging market for renewable energy in Scotland.

Representatives of the group have attended a number of renewable energy exhibitions and conferences highlighting Dundee's special features to industry representatives from across the globe.

The facilities at the Port of Dundee make it an effective base for companies to service the burgeoning renewable energy sector. Development land is also available for renewables in addition to the port, which could be used for renewable energy businesses that do not need a quayside location.

It is thought that 25% of Europe's wind and tidal power could be produced by Scotland with Government targets aiming for 18% of the nation’s electricity to be produced from renewable energy by 2010 and 40% by 2020.

President of Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce and business risk manager of Michelin Group Trevor Haines will chair the three hour long event at Scottish Enterprise's offices on Monday (February 22), which will also include a business case study and a question and answer session.

More information on Dundee's renewable energy credentials can be found at www.dundeerenewables.com

(GK/BMcC)