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Archive for the ‘Economy’ Category

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…)

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…)

Scottish renewable energy industry bucks the economic downturn

Thursday, September 20th, 2012

There was a time in the newspapers when it seemed a week didn’t go by without another announcement of a major retailer going into administration or a company issuing profit warnings. Many traditional industries and businesses have not survived the economic downturn but the renewables sector has managed to successfully buck the trend.

Scottish Renewables recently published figures which show Scotland’s renewable electricity industry has delivered capital investment of some £2.8bn since the beginning of 2009. This has helped to grow the supply chain, secure the future of many companies and support more than 11,000 jobs. (more…)

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