Dublin-based Europlan Group has announced a significant contract with Sumitomo Electric at Enterprise Ireland's Offshore Wind Forum.

The company has been awarded the EPCM (Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management) contract for the development of a subsea power cable manufacturing factory in the Port of Nigg in the Scottish Highlands.

The project will support the delivery of critical infrastructure to help build resilient supply chains for the offshore wind and renewable energy sectors.

Taking place today, 28 November, Enterprise Ireland's Offshore Wind Forum will update attendees on both the Irish and UK offshore wind markets, with key contributions from project developers and industry experts.

The Offshore Wind Forum will assess the timelines, opportunities and challenges facing the offshore wind industry and will examine how the supply chain can help facilitate continued growth. A panel discussion will focus on the emerging field of floating offshore wind which is seeing significant innovation from Irish companies.

The audience will hear from companies such as Dublin Offshore, TFI Marine and Subsea Micropiles, who are all developing smart solutions for the mooring systems needed for these floating platforms, as well as EirGrid, the developer and operator of the national electricity grid.

Attendees will also be updated on opportunities beyond Ireland and the UK, in markets such as France, Germany, Italy and the Nordics.

Minister of State for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation, Dara Calleary T.D said the announcement is represents the significant opportunities for Irish companies to participate in offshore wind supply chains internationally. He said: "Ireland plans to deliver 5GW of offshore wind energy by 2030, with a further 2GW in development for non-grid use, ramping up to 37GW by 2050. The skills and experience developed through Irish companies’ involvement in international projects, such as Europlan Group’s contract in the Port of Nigg, will be critical when it comes to delivering our own offshore wind projects here in Ireland. In addition, the potential for a wide range of new skilled jobs across the entire offshore wind supply chain is substantial, serving both Irish and international projects. In that context I welcome today’s news and congratulate Europlan Group on their success".

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Enterprise CEO Leo Clancy said: "The high value contract announced by Europlan Group today is reflective of the significant growth opportunities for Irish businesses who can meet the supply chain needs of the offshore wind sector. Their technical capabilities and innovation can help the global offshore wind industry to achieve its substantial energy generation ambition in the years ahead. Today’s Forum aims to raise awareness among Irish companies of the major offshore wind supply chain opportunities here in Ireland, in the UK and across global markets as the sector grows at pace. These opportunities will help to deliver high quality regional jobs across Ireland and contribute to the global effort to decarbonise our economies."

Donnchadh Campbell, MD at Europlan Group said: "As an Irish company with a mainly Irish-based workforce, we are thrilled to have been awarded this competitive contract, which is testament to the quality and capability of Irish engineering and its standing internationally. This project at the Port of Nigg will be responsible for the delivery of critical infrastructure to support the offshore wind and renewable energy sectors at this pivotal moment in the transition to green and renewable energy sources."

Irish firms benefit significantly from proximity to the UK market. The UK intends to achieve up to 50 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2030, including 5 GW from innovative floating technology, which will require approximately 2,600 additional wind turbines and a minimum capital investment of £48 billion by 2030 to meet this target.

Over 380 GW of offshore wind capacity, across 32 markets, is predicted to be added in the next ten years (2023-2032). Over 40 per cent of that growth is expected to come from Europe.

Enterprise Ireland will collaborate with the developers of the four offshore wind projects recently approved in the Irish ORESS1 auction. The goal is to facilitate the integration of as many Irish businesses as possible into the project supply chains, optimising local content and job opportunities.