SMEs across the county are being urged to attend a free conference later this month on how to cash in on the supply chains being set up around the growth in offshore wind farms.

The renewable energy operation is growing off the Kent coast, with some of the biggest names in the industry involved.

Now an event at the Ashford International Hotel on Thursday, November 29, co-organised by the county council, is to highlight the opportunities it creates.

Explains Mike Whiting, Kent County Council cabinet member for planning, highways, transport and waste: "Too often, small firms dismiss the offshore wind opportunity as too complicated or too difficult.

“That is why we’ve developed a range of tools and events to help understand and connect to the major players in the market.”

With the global expenditure on offshore wind expected to reach £108 billion between now and 2022, offshore wind represents a large and growing market for Kent based companies.

There are eight UK wind farms in operation or in development relatively close to the county's coast, including London Array – formerly the world’s largest operational offshore wind farm – in the Thames Estuary.

But it is the potential for firms of all sizes to help provide the products, services and skills essential for successful wind farm development and operation, the conference plans to address.

Several major wind farm owners, including Vattenfall and London Array Limited are already playing an active role in developing a Kent-based supply chain.

As part of the Inn2POWER consortium, an EU Interreg funded project supporting companies in the offshore wind sector, Kent County Council is hoping the county's SMEs will attend the free Greater South East Offshore Wind Energy B2B event.

Adds Cllr Whiting: “Businesses in Kent should definitely make getting involved in offshore wind one of their main priorities and registering for the B2B event should be the first step in this potentially profitable endeavour."

Those attending will be able to hear from RenewableUK for the latest updates on the status and growth of the UK offshore wind market, its importance within the national energy mix, and expertise and innovation within the UK supply chain.

This will be followed by presentations from industry leading offshore wind developers and key supply chain companies on their supply chain requirements and priorities for innovation.

Speakers include event sponsors Vattenfall presenting key updates on their forthcoming UK projects and how to get involved in their supply chain for projects including the Thanet Extension, the Norfolk Vanguard and the Norfolk Boreas set to deliver a combined capacity of 3.9GW offshore wind power to the National Grid once completed.

Registration is open now.