Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens bid in ScotWind leasing round

Dublin-based global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Financial Services (SFS) have made a joint bid in the ScotWind offshore leasing round.

The companies did not disclose how much capacity they intend to build if their bid is successful. The ScotWind leasing tender is aimed at supporting the development of around 10 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity.

As part of the wider development consortium, technology suppliers Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Siemens Energy will work with Mainstream and SFS from the outset of the partnership as tier one suppliers.

Combined, the group will create a dedicated multimillion pound fund to support its joint commitment of developing a competitive local supply chain to underpin the project’s development.

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The companies said this “will ensure a holistic and focused approach to creating an indigenous Scottish supply chain across the entire development cycle of the project”.

The consortium and its partners already have extensive commitments to Scotland and plan to build on their established supply chains further.

SFS equity chief executive Steffen Grosse said the consortium’s track record of success “means we can deliver on our clear plan to drive forward Scotland’s green energy transition supported by the transformation of the local Scottish supply chain”.

Mainstream, set up by Mr O’Connor in 2008 after the sale of the Airtricity business he had developed, is undergoing a period of major expansion across Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa as well as in the offshore wind sector globally.

It has about 1.9 gigawatts of projects in construction or pre-construction across Chile, Egypt, Senegal and South Africa. It has an additional development pipeline of almost 10 gigawatts of projects at various stages in countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia and Colombia.

Mainstream sold its previous Scottish offshore wind farm development in 2018 for up to €650 million to French utilities giant EDF.

On the role of collaboration in developing supply chains, Siemens Gamesa chief execitive Andreas Nauen said: “Powerful partnerships with purpose are crucial for us as we work to unlock the potential of wind around the globe.

“Our years of experience in working with the consortium companies gives us great confidence in the ScotWind process.

“We’re hopeful that we can contribute to establishing a Scottish renewable energy cluster, supporting Scottish suppliers and also developing Scottish talent with schools and universities for the future of the energy revolution.”