Inward Investment

With excellent natural resources, a solid skills base, and an established supply chain of companies working in the energy sector, it is understandable that more and more businesses are interested in basing some or all of their operations in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The IT infrastructure, transport options and quality of life are also aspects which play a part in making it possible and desirable to do business here.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Development International (SDI) work in partnership to support both existing and inward investor businesses.

HIE can work with businesses and organisations already in the Highlands and Islands to ensure they can realise the commercial opportunities in this region. SDI, on the other hand, delivers service and support to international companies wishing to develop a cost-effective base in Scotland for serving customers world-wide.

If you would like to know more about working with HIE in the Highlands and Islands region please contact HIE's International Development team:

• Telephone: + (0)1463 234 171
• Email: [email protected]

If you are a company that would like to know more about basing operations in Scotland in general, please contact SDI:

• Telephone: 0800 917 9534
• Contact SDI

Video - Offshore Renewable Energy

Case in point: Mitsui investment in Global Energy Group

In April 2012 it was announced that Japanese company Mitsui had taken 25 per cent equity shareholding in the energy industry services group, through its head office for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Mitsui & Co. Europe PLC, allowing Global Energy Group to ramp up its investment plans.

Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney welcomed the announcement of a Scottish-Japanese partnership to invest in oil and gas and renewables opportunities in Scotland and internationally.

Global Energy Group acquired the Nigg fabrication site on the Cromarty Firth in October 2011.

The Scottish Government, with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, is supporting the transformation of the Nigg yard into an important renewables hub.

Mr Swinney said:

“Today’s announcement is further evidence of Scotland’s international standing and global leadership in offshore energy, both in oil and gas and renewables.

“This investment is helping to transform Scotland’s industrial base at the same time as confirming confidence in the long-term prospects of our trillion pound plus oil and gas industry.

“The partnership of ambition and engineering expertise that Global Energy Group and Mitsui have forged will create more jobs and career opportunities and build on our existing skills base.

“Nigg will continue to be central to the delivery of the ambitions of this government and the businesses involved.

“The deal announced today is further testament to the hard work of Scottish Development International in identifying opportunities and building successful relationships.”

Global Energy Group Chairman Roy MacGregor said:

“This is a hugely important step for the Global Energy Group, which we are confident will help us continue to develop and elevate our business to new levels. We are very excited by the new opportunities this will bring to us in the UK and internationally through working together with a multi-national company of the standing of Mitsui.

Mitsui General Manager, Steel Pipe & Plate Overseas Division, Iron & Steel Products Business Unit, Mr Motoo Ono said:

“Today’s visit by Mr John Swinney of the Scottish Government was well timed. In Aberdeen this afternoon, Global will formally introduce Mitsui as their new partners, to take forward opportunities in Scotland and beyond, for expansion of business in the energy sector. Mitsui believe that Scotland has a bright future for further development of its energy resources and are excited about it’s participation.”

Martin Johnson, HIE Area Manager for Inner Moray Firth, said:

“With offices in 67 countries across the world, Mitsui’s partnership with Global Energy helps strengthen our region’s position in the heart of international energy markets and networks. The investment is a clear indication of the importance of the potential of the Highlands and Islands and of Scotland to the growth of the oil and gas and renewable energy industry.

“HIE is delighted Global Energy has secured this substantial commitment for the sector. It will bring increased confidence to our region as we continue to develop some of the best energy projects in the world.”

Mr Swinney met with Mitsui General Managers Motoo Ono and Katsuhiko Miyashita.

Global Energy Group was founded in 2005 and has head offices in Aberdeen and Inverness. It is now an international company and one of Scotland’s leading employers, with a workforce of more than 4,300.

Global Energy Group completed the purchase of the former North Sea Oil fabrication facility at Nigg, on the Cromarty Firth in October 2011. Nigg is a key strategic site for the energy industry in Scotland and one of the largest facilities of its kind in Europe.

The company is transforming the 238-acre site, renamed Nigg Energy Park, into a modern, multi-user facility serving a range of energy sectors, including oil gas and renewables.

First Minister Alex Salmond officially opened a new training facility at the park in March 2012, which is being developed by a public-private partnership to meet the skills requirements of the industry.