Local businesses in the Western Isles are being invited to a 'Meet the Buyer' event to explore opportunities to contribute to the construction of the Lewis Hub HVDC substation and converter station.

The event, taking place on Thursday 27th February at the Caberfeidh Hotel in Stornoway from 3pm to 6pm, will allow businesses to engage with the project's principal contractors, RJ McLeod and Balfour Beatty.

The Lewis Hub is a key component of the Western Isles Connection Project, which will establish a new subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link between Lewis and the mainland. The project is expected to create significant economic and job opportunities for the region.

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"We are committed to supporting local businesses and maximising opportunities to employ local staff and contractors where possible," said Kevin Morrison, SSEN Transmission's Community Liaison Manager for the Lewis Hub project. "Our Meet the Buyer event is an opportunity for businesses to connect with our principal contractors to explore how they might complement the project's specialist construction teams."

"We are committed to working closely and collaboratively with local suppliers and contractors to maximise regional economic benefits and ensure that the expertise and skills within the community are harnessed throughout the project's lifecycle," said George Young, Director of Operations at Balfour Beatty. "We encourage local businesses to attend the Meet the Buyer event to learn more about how they can get involved and contribute to the successful delivery of this significant piece of infrastructure."

The event will also feature representatives from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the University of the Highlands and Islands to provide information on business support and training opportunities.

The Lewis Hub project is expected to provide a significant boost to the local economy through direct jobs and the extensive use of local subcontractors.