http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/wind/sse-siemens-consortium-inks-alliance-to-solidify-offshore-wind-supply-chain.html

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has inked an alliance with Siemens and a group of transmission and manufacturing companies to support a programme to lower the cost of bringing power from offshore wind projects back to the mainland.

SSE has teamed up with Siemens, its affiliate Siemens Transmission and Distribution, Subsea 7, Burntisland Fabrications and Atkins on the offshore wind project.
Following the agreement, they will work together to agree on formal commercial arrangements for the alliance ahead of the project design.
The grouping builds on an agreement SSE formed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe last year to cooperate on the development of the next generation of offshore wind turbines.
The team will look to address the capital-intensive nature of delivering power from offshore wind farms to the shore and other barriers to widespread offshore wind technology adoption.
It was formed to meet the challenges of supply chain sustainability in the sector in a way that will support the development of offshore wind projects.
Realising the full potential of offshore wind farms will require the development of a sustainable UK supply chain, including design, manufacturing and installation, according to SSE.
SSE director for offshore renewables Jim Smith said to fulfill the potential of offshore wind, a supply chain needs to be created that stabilise prices and
resources in a way that will maximise value.
He said, ‘The energy potential of offshore wind is vast, and in a resource- and carbon-constrained world it is a potential we need to fulfill. In doing so, we need to make sure we maximise value and create a sustainable supply chain.’
SSE said the companies are due to locate their joint activities in the Centre of Engineering Excellence for Renewable Energy established by SSE and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.