Appointments confirmed for the Advisory Group of Wave Energy Scotland
15th July 2015
A series of key appointments have been made to Wave Energy Scotland (WES) as the new research and development organisation sets up an Advisory Group.
WES received over fifty applications from interested parties keen to be involved in the group. There was a wide range of experience amongst the applicants which clearly demonstrated the level of interest in Wave Energy Scotland. Membership of the group includes those with experience in energy sector and also individuals with a background in investment and insurance.
The Advisory Group will act as a forum for support and guidance to WES. It will also consider how best to develop the WES programme to achieve the aims and objectives of the organisation. Group members have been appointed for a three-year term.
The Advisory Group is meeting for the first time today, Wednesday 15th July.
Tim Hurst, MD, Wave Energy Scotland commented: "The Advisory Group will perform a vital role for Wave Energy Scotland, that of providing strategic direction and ensuring WES maintains a commercial focus within the programme. It is important that WES benefits from the experience of other industries as we seek to find innovative solutions for the wave energy sector. To that end, the Advisory Group does include representatives from a number of sectors and also academia, with a range of expertise and a considerable body of experience."
The Advisory Group will be chaired by Tiree-based businessman Steve Thomson, who is also a board member of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Mr Thomson said: "I am delighted to be chairing the Advisory Group of Wave Energy Scotland. My colleagues and I do not underestimate the challenges in the wave sector. However we remain confident that by using our skills and experience, we will be able to provide strategic direction to the development and work of WES."
Wave Energy Scotland was set up as a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise in December 2014. It is fully funded by the Scottish Government. The new organisation is seen a fresh approach to tackling the issues which have proved challenging in the wave energy sector. Collaboration is seen as vital to the success of WES and the Advisory Group will play a central role in making that happen.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "I am delighted to see the range of skills and knowledge represented in the Advisory Group. This is an important aspect of the work of Wave Energy Scotland and the members of the group will be able to use their experience to guide and inform the work of WES.
"The technology challenges are significant in the wave sector. Wave Energy Scotland is drawing on a wide range of expertise with the aim to find sustainable solutions to these challenges, making the contribution of the Advisory Group a vital part of that process.
"There is still scope for representatives of original equipment manufacturers to join the Advisory Group and I would particularly encourage applications from women who might be interested. The Scottish Government supports 50 per cent of public, private and third sector boards to be women by 2020."
It is expected the WES Advisory Group will meet up to six times a year.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
A programme of remedial works to bring Scotland's only funicular railway back into service at Cairngorm Mountain is entering a new phase during week beginning Monday 15 April. With the snowsports season now over, multiple teams from contractor Balfour Beatty, appointed by Cairngorm Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), are set to be deployed on the mountainside.
The five-year agreement between Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will also play a major role in contributing to regional economic growth. The signing of the agreement, by Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, and HIE Chief Executive Stuart Black, follows the official opening of SRUC's Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC), a valued addition to SRUC’s School of Veterinary Medicine, in Inverness by HRH the Princess Royal.
Deerness Distillery Ltd has secured £246,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the £820,000 development. Construction is underway at the distillery, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Adelle Brown.
The Co-Chairs of the Inverness Castle Delivery Group, Fergus Ewing MSP and Cllr Ian Brown, are delighted to announce the award of £30,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in support of framing the 57 panels that will form the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands. This financial commitment from HIE has contributed significantly to the preservation of the 57 panels created by communities across the Highlands and Islands, of which 32 will be included in the first exhibition as part of the Inverness Castle Experience.
Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd plans to establish major operations in the region, supplying high voltage cables to the growing offshore wind energy sector. A funding package has been agreed to secure an estimated £350m in inward investment for Scotland, based in the Highlands.
As part of the study, businesses, community groups and social enterprises with future land or property plans are encouraged to complete a short survey by 22 March 2024. Whether it's interest in land for sale or space to lease, HIE is keen to hear from organisations already based in the region as well as from those that are considering locating a business to the area.
L&M Engineering has secured a grant of £58,914 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the development, which is set to boost business turnover by £1.2m and create two jobs over the next three years. The company is diversifying its operations to cater for additional aquaculture markets.
Most businesses in the Highlands and Islands consider their links with the local community as either equal to or more important than their profitable growth. This is one of the key findings of the most recent rural business survey commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).
Dynamic business support programme, IMPACT30, is aimed at nurturing and empowering the next generation of innovative leaders. The fully funded programme is for people aged under 35 in a young enterprise and in a key decision-making role.
A project to increase electricity supply and reduce emissions on a west coast island has been awarded more than £25,000 by HIE. The HIE funding is being used to replace and upgrade high voltage transformers and other associated equipment to enable a major upgrade of the renewable energy supply on the Isle of Muck.