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Archive for the ‘Renewables’ 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…)

Posted in Economy, Marine: wave and tidal energy, Offshore wind, Renewables | No Comments »

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…)

Posted in Economy, Oil and Gas, Renewables | No Comments »

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…)

Posted in Economy, Offshore wind, Renewables | No Comments »

Offshore Wind and Supply Chain Conference 2013

Thursday, February 14th, 2013

I was given a great opportunity at the end of January to attend Scottish Renewables’ Offshore Wind and Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition, which was held in Aberdeen on January 29th and 30th. This was an exciting and interesting event where I had the chance to attend a number of the conference sessions and meet many of the key people involved in the industry. This year’s conference marked the fifth year that the conference has been held and proved to be the biggest yet, with attendance numbers totalling between 800 and 900 people.

One of the key outcomes of the conference, in my opinion, was the announcement by First Minister Alex Salmond in his keynote speech on the Tuesday morning, that HIE has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with four of the Highlands leading ports to support the development of the offshore renewables sector. MoUs have been agreed with Global Energy Nigg, Port of Ardersier Ltd, Kishorn Port Ltd and Cromarty Firth Port Authority, all of which have a long history in servicing the oil and gas sector. Many of the skills and expertise these companies use in the oil and gas sector can be adapted and transferred to the offshore renewables sector.

(more…)

Posted in Events, Offshore wind, Renewables | No Comments »

Introducing HIE’s New Offshore Renewables Graduate

Friday, February 8th, 2013

I recently joined Highlands & Islands Enterprise, where I have been warmly welcomed into the Energy & Low Carbon Team here in Cowan House, Inverness. I am here on a one-year graduate placement working as Supply Chain Co-ordinator for the Offshore Renewables sector and I am delighted to have secured this position.

In my role I will be actively working with other members of my team on matters related to the offshore renewables supply chain – offshore wind and marine energy. I will be responsible for helping companies to diversify and expand, as well as engaging with the thriving offshore renewables sector.

I have always had a strong interest in renewable energy and the environment, and issues related to energy efficiency, sustainability, climate change and global warming. I also have an interest in planning and building design and layout. I wish to be involved in increasing the share of renewable energy systems and to aid in the movement towards a sustainable energy future.

(more…)

Posted in Offshore wind, Renewables | No Comments »

Welcoming airport passengers to the natural home of renewable energy

Monday, January 14th, 2013

Passengers and visitors to Inverness airport will notice a big new advert on the wall as they pass through the main terminal building, just above the luggage carousel. This is the new advert which HIE has commissioned for Inverness airport. It highlights the strengths of the renewable energy industry in the Highlands and Islands and its many world-leading accomplishments. Many visitors and business people, both from overseas and the rest of the UK, choose to get to the Highlands and Islands via Inverness airport, the region’s main airport. We want people to know that they have arrived in the world’s leading renewable energy region. I hope you agree that the advert is a great showcase for what the Highlands and Islands have to offer this global industry.

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Posted in Marketing, Renewables | No Comments »

End the uncertainty - getting to commercial projects will require Westminster to make some bold decisions

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

An article by Calum Davidson, Director of Energy and Low Carbon at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, from the Winter 2012 edition of Holyrood Magazine.

End the Uncertainty - Getting to commercial projects will require Westminster to make some bold decisions

Posted in Government, Grid and Policy issues, Renewables | No Comments »

Iain’s second blog

Friday, December 14th, 2012

This is my second blog entry since joining the Energy and Low Carbon team on my graduate placement at Highlands and Islands Enterprise. (more…)

Posted in Awards, Events, Marine: wave and tidal energy, Saltire Prize | No Comments »

Change is seen as a good thing - when it brings jobs and growth

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

Calum Davidson, Director of Energy and Low Carbon, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)

This piece originally appeared as a column in the Energy North Autumn supplement, published by Scottish Provincial Press.

Summer’s over, schools are back, and the Highlands and Islands are bidding farewell, for now, to our seasonal visitors. The cabinet have finished their annual tour of Scotland, with meetings, dinners and a round of public engagements in Orkney, where energy was right at the top of the agenda. The Deputy First Minister announced the initial four competitors for the £10m Saltire Prize in Marine Energy, and a new round of research and development (R&D) funding for wave and tidal companies. (more…)

Posted in Renewables | No Comments »

Community energy – a powerful partnership for the future

Thursday, November 8th, 2012

Nicholas Gubbins, Chief Executive, Community Energy Scotland

Community involvement in renewable energy projects has the potential to be a powerful partnership for the 21st century, creating both renewable energy and sustainable communities – and nowhere more so than in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. (more…)

Posted in Communities, Renewables | No Comments »

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