Highland businesses are to be given help and advice on taking advantage of wind farm opportunities.

UK energy group RWE npower is hosting 'Meet The Buyer' events in Inverness and Thurso for business owners interested in seeing their company become more environmentally friendly.

RWE is the developer and operator of wind farms and hydro electric plants in the Highlands, and the company will be working in conjunction with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Energy North.

The events are being staged on Tuesday 9 October at Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club and on the following Wednesday October 10 at North Highland College in Thurso.

Representatives from the sector will be on hand to advise visitors on procurement, contracts, development, construction and operation of wind and hydro development.


Andrew Wrightson, RWE npower renewables' Head of Procurement, said: "It is our aim to make use of local contractors wherever possible as was the case with the construction of our recently opened Novar 2 Wind Farm in Ross-shire, where 81% of the civil works contract spend went to local businesses.

"We want local businesses with the appropriate skills to capitalise on the opportunities available in the sector.”

Elain Cameron from HIE said: "The Highlands and Islands has some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe. In addition to the natural resources, the region is home to a wide range of businesses with the expertise in the sector, but with so many developments planned or underway there are clearly more opportunities for businesses to get involved. We would encourage companies interested in tapping into these opportunities to come along to the events."

Attendance at the Meet the Buyer Evenings is free, however participants must register in advance.

Those wishing to attend can register now by clicking on the appropriate link below.

www.energynorth.co.uk/Events/-Meet-the-Buyer--event---Inverness.aspx

www.energynorth.co.uk/Events/-Meet-the-Buyer--event---Caithness.aspx

(IT/GK)