Western Isles businesses invited to Lewis Hub ‘Meet the Buyer’ event

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  • Local businesses to work with principal contractors on Lewis Hub project

  • Wide range of opportunities available for local companies

Local businesses in the Western Isles are being invited to an event taking place later this month, highlighting the range of opportunities available through the proposed Lewis Hub HVDC substation and converter station project.

The ‘Meet the Buyer’ event takes place at the Caberfeidh Hotel in Stornoway on Thursday 27 February, from 3pm – 6pm. It will allow local businesses to engage with the project’s principal contractors and discuss opportunities to be involved.

The Lewis Hub is an essential part of the Western Isles Connection Project that will establish a new subsea HVDC link between Lewis and the mainland. Located at Arnish Moor near Stornoway, its proposed construction will offer opportunities for local companies in a variety of areas from construction, haulage and landscaping, to waste management, security and facilities management services.

Kevin Morrison, SSEN Transmission’s Community Liaison Manager for the Lewis Hub project, said: “We are committed to supporting local businesses and maximising opportunities to employ local staff and contractors where possible, and 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.

“As well as our principal contractors, we’ll also have representatives from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the University of the Highlands and Islands on hand to help with enquiries relating to business support and training opportunities.

“The Lewis Hub project is critical to the development of renewable energy in and around the Western Isles and will unlock significant economic and job opportunities – we’re pleased to be able to offer this opportunity for local businesses to engage, and we encourage them to come along to our event and find out more about the opportunities and support available.”

Colin Maclean, Construction Director of principal contractor RJ McLeod said: “The Lewis Hub project will provide a significant boost to the local economy through direct jobs, and the extensive and valuable supply chain of subcontracted goods and services. It’s great we can play our part in this important energy asset, and we look forward to jointly working with SSEN Transmission and local suppliers.”

George Young, Director of Operations at Balfour Beatty said: “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. 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."

For any business enquiries related to the Meet the Buyer event, please email: LT14lewishub@sse.com