Supply chain boost as wind industry backs revamped Pathfinder

The UK’s energy supply chain has received a major boost after two leading clean-energy trade bodies – each with hundreds of members – provided input and support to a relaunched online platform for advertising lucrative contracts. 

The North Sea Transition Authority’s (NSTA) new and improved Energy Pathfinder portal has been backed by Scottish Renewables and RenewableUK, who have started actively encouraging members to promote contracting opportunities for wind energy projects on the platform. The initiative is also being supported by the joint government and industry bodies, the Offshore Wind Industry Council and the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council.   

The announcement coincides with the launch of the revamped Pathfinder portal today (17 June) at the Global Offshore Wind conference in London where industry professionals will have a chance to see the platform in action during a dedicated session. 

Pathfinder answers the supply chain’s calls for a clearer picture of upcoming work both onshore and in the North Sea, which enables them to invest in skills and technologies with confidence and ensure that resources are available when needed.  

Originally launched in 2010 to help offshore service companies target opportunities for work on oil and gas field developments, Pathfinder has expanded in recent years and now also hosts details of well decommissioning campaigns, operations and maintenance programmes and increasing numbers of energy transition projects, including carbon storage. 

Pathfinder currently hosts information for more than 20 offshore wind projects which, following the upgrade to the portal, are now clearly categorised as floating or fixed-bottom. With the support of Scottish Renewables and RenewableUK in enhancing Pathfinder, the portal provides more specific information about these technologies and their associated contracts. With these improvements in place, it is hoped that more wind energy developers will use the portal, creating a focal point for the industry. As a result, the supply chain will gain greater visibility of opportunities to tender for contracts across the energy sector, diversify their customer base and use their knowledge and experience to support ambitious government deployment targets for clean power.  

Emma Harrick, Director of the Supply Chain and Energy Transition at Scottish Renewables, said:  

“Clean energy already supports 47,000 jobs in Scotland and as the industry continues to grow, so do opportunities for suppliers across Scotland and the UK.  

“Scottish Renewables has worked closely with the Energy Pathfinder team and our members to tailor the portal for our industry. The portal now provides on and offshore wind businesses with clear visibility of available tender invitations while enabling developers to connect with a broader network of local companies.  

“This marks a positive step forward in improving access to opportunities for the growing clean energy supply chain and we encourage not only project buyers but also tier 1 contractors and all levels of the supply chain ecosystem to make full use of the platform." 

Pathfinder is a free, one-stop-shop for valuable information about opportunities to support scores of energy projects in the UK. Wind developers now regularly use the platform to advertise supply chain opportunities for a range of services, including consultancy, surveyance, engineering and design, logistics, fabrication and the provision of equipment, such as cables. It also links suppliers to the project procurement teams managing their respective contracts. 

Notes:

• Energy Pathfinder is available on the NSTA website. 
• The press release ‘Supply chain boost as wind industry backs revamped Pathfinder’ is available on the NSTA website.