The Supply Chain is Blowin' in the Wind

The steadily expanding renewable resource of wind energy has, in recent years, been seen as a major contributor to manufacturing. But supply chain will offer the most profitable opportunities for wind energy in the future, delegates were told Monday at a Cambridge Cleantech’s Cambridge Awards Week event.

Cambridge Cleantech’s wind energy special interest group kicked off the week-long event at Eversheds’ headquarters at Kett House in Cambridge. Attendees will participate in expos, seminars and workshops to celebrate the appreciation of local businesses in the area. Supporting the growth of environmental goods and services companies, Cambridge Cleantech believes locally-sourced wind energy will not only drive the global supply chain, but also improve the local economy and create jobs.

 “The supply chain is much bigger and I would encourage people to get involved in that, but it’s not going to happen overnight,” Chris Parkhouse of Deyton Bell, a specialist professional services firm, told attendees. “There is an opportunity for skilled people in maintenance, operation and servicing.”

SEE RELATED STORIES FROM THE WDM CONTENT NETWORK:

Experts to Meet on Wind Energy Supply Chain

U.S. Companies Lead Renewable Energy Procurement

Click here to read the latest edition of Supply Chain Digital

Ranking seventh worldwide in wind power, trailing China, the U.S., Germany, Spain, Italy and France, UK companies need to now concentrate efforts to utilize this renewable resource and further drive the local supply chain.

 “Most people talk about turbines but the UK is a leader in small wind – 60% of which is exported across the world,” Parkhouse said. “In big wind we are only a leader in allowing overseas companies to develop offshore. We need to do something about this.”