Companies across the north of England will soon get an opportunity to share in SSE's £200m annual spend in the area with the launch of a new Open4Business web portal.
SSE wants local firms to meet the team and learn more about the Open4Business Trans-Pennine portal at a launch event on 19 September at Rogerthorpe Manor in Pontefract.
The aim of the portal is to create a platform for SSE to post contract opportunities and increase visibility of its procurement process. Local businesses will be able to view and bid for opportunities in a simple process and even register to receive alerts if suitable contracts are posted.
The initiative is part of SSE’s commitment to promote local procurement and source goods, works and services from small to medium enterprise organisations in the areas in which it operates.
Originally inspired by the ‘CompeteFor’ platform used at the London 2012 Olympic Games, it follows the success of SSE’s O4B Highlands and Islands portal, launched last year, which has led to millions of pounds of contracts awarded locally.
The launch event will also be an opportunity to learn about SSE’s investments in the North of England and meet other companies involved in the portal including Balfour Beatty, Doosan Babcock, HZI, Shanks and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
SSE currently owns and operates multiple sites across the North of England including Ferrybridge Power Station in Yorkshire, Fiddler's Ferry Power Station in Cheshire, Aldborough and Atwick gas storage facilities in East Yorkshire, and Keadby wind farm in North Lincolnshire. Maintenance and operational contracts for these assets is in the region of £170 million per year.
SSE is also constructing, through a joint venture with Wheelabrator Inc., a £300m multi-fuel energy plant at its Ferrybridge site, due for completion in 2015, with many contracts placed with local companies. Consultation for a second multi-fuel energy plant at the site is currently taking place which, if consented, is expected to lead to a similar level of investment.
Alistair Phillips-Davies, SSE Chief Executive, said: “SSE is investing around £4million a day in new energy infrastructure throughout the UK and we want to see real economic and social benefits flow to local businesses and communities across the country as a result.
”The Open4Business portal is a critical part of our approach in creating the strongest possible local supply chain. Quite simply, if local companies want a share of our investment in their area, Open4Business is the best route to get it.”
Sandy Biggar, Director of Procurement, SSE, said: “Local businesses often tell us that they don’t get a chance to benefit as much as they should from developments and work in their area, with awareness of available contracts a key issue. O4B will bridge this gap and make contract opportunities highly visible in an easy-to-use website.
“Working in conjunction with our public sector stakeholders, O4B will help local businesses to take advantage of opportunities that arise from the construction, maintenance and operation of assets in this area.”
Mick McKigney, Business Manager, Economic Development Services, Wakefield Council said: “This is a fantastic and innovative initiative; the O4B portal will enable local SMEs to access the many business opportunities flowing from SSE's investments in the region."
Event Information
The launch event for the O4B Trans and Pennine portal will take place at Rogerthorpe Manor in Pontefract on 19 September. Sessions will be held between 9-11am or 2-4pm.
If you would like to register to attend the event, please email O4B.trans-pennine@sse.com with your delegate’s name, title, company name and a short summary of the nature of your organisation. In addition, please confirm whether you would like to attend the morning or afternoon session. SSE kindly request a maximum of two attendees per organisation. Registration for the event closes on 16 September.