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Archive for April, 2013

Building the foundations for the revolution

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

When you have worked in economic development as long as I have, you tend to
recognise the life cycle of big projects - the initial planning, the discussions, the
negotiations, the moment of financial closure, and the buzz when construction starts
and people are employed.

Yet, when you are helping build the framework for a whole new industry, the
development cycle is there, but it’s more subtle, comprising the background noise of
individual projects progressing towards a common goal. And just like that moment in
a crowded room, when lots of conversations pause, providing a moment of quiet, I’m
sensing a bit of calm before the storm. (more…)

Highlands and Islands Energy Jobs and Offshore Renewables Projects

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Highlands and Islands Enterprise have just launched a new map on the HI-energy website displaying employment within the energy sector throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The creation of this map represents jobs covering all stages of the project lifecycle in all aspects of the energy sector – including renewable energy, oil and gas, nuclear decommissioning as well as transmission and distribution jobs.

(more…)

Ports and fabrication facilities lining up to play a key part in development of offshore renewables

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

On the back of the Scottish-wide National Renewable Infrastructure Plan prepared in 2010, HIE has been very active working with all our ports around the region, getting ready new opportunities in offshore wind, oil and gas, and wave and tidal. Indeed we estimate that over £80m has been invested in Highlands and Islands ports in the past 36 months.

But there are bigger prizes to be won, so that’s why we signed these four new joint working agreements with Global Energy Nigg, Port of Ardersier, Kishorn Port Limited and Cromarty Firth Port Authority. Announced by the First Minister at the Scottish Renewables/Scottish Enterprise Offshore Wind Conference in Aberdeen at the start of the year, these agreements – known as Memoranda of Understanding, or MOU – aim to help the ports attract investment of up to £100m to the Highlands. (more…)

Ardersier could be the key for offshore wind

Thursday, April 4th, 2013

The Highlands could be on the brink of a new jobs boom – and the Port of Ardersier could be the key.

The recent announcement that Highland Council would raise no objection to the Moray offshore wind farm project (under development by Moray Offshore Renewables Limited) – which could create up to 3,000 jobs – shows the opportunity is on its way.

Earlier this year First Minister Alex Salmond announced a memorandum of understanding between Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Port of Ardersier which recognises Ardersier’s capacity to become one of the key manufacturing, construction and installation hubs for projects such as Moray.

(more…)

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