Development agencies welcome SSEs Beatrice offshore wind announcement
23rd May 2016
Confirmation that SSE is to go ahead with its investment in the Beatrice Offshore Wind project has been welcomed by both of Scotland's economic development agencies.
The project is expected to deliver billions of pounds of investment during construction, installation and longer-term operation and maintenance of the windfarm.
Both Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) say it will create major opportunities for supply chain companies, and could mean hundreds of long term, new jobs over the off-shore power plant's 25 year lifetime.
Wick has been confirmed as the operations and maintenance port for the development. Other ports such as Arnish, Invergordon, Nigg and Buckie will be well placed to support installation, fabrication and marine services during the construction phase. And CS Wind UK's investment in Machrihanish is also poised to enable the plant to manufacture large scale offshore wind towers.
It is anticipated that SSE will be confirming a number of other supply chain contracts in the coming months and it's hoped that other Scottish companies will benefit from these.
HIE chief executive, Alex Paterson, described the news as a 'significant milestone'.
He added: "This is excellent news for the Highlands and Islands. We are proud as a region to have many companies with the commercial and technical flexibility and the capacity to provide specialist and innovative services. The scale of opportunity is extensive and will stretch across our region, and Scotland as a whole. It will put us in a prime position to attract and react to future prospects in the industry. We look forward to working with SSE, the sector as a whole, and individual companies, to ensure the best possible economic outcome for the region from this development."
Margaret McGinlay, director of energy at Scottish Enterprise added:"The confirmation of an investment of this scale marks a significant milestone for Scotland’s offshore wind industry. It has the potential to bring a variety of significant opportunities for economic growth for Scotland, particularly for companies in our offshore wind supply chain. We’ll be continuing to work closely with SSE and our partners on this and other projects to secure the continued development of the sector in Scotland."
Related Businesses
Related Articles
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.
Region's young workforce to take part in pioneering sustainability skills programme. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Zero Waste Scotland and business transformation enterprise Powering Futures have teamed up to provide the fully-funded places on the Highlands and Islands Powering Futures Challenge 2024.
People working in or entering Scotland's growing renewables industry will soon have access to a new training facility in Inverness. The £1.22m Renewable Energy Training Centre, being established by Aurora Energy Services Ltd, (AES) will be the first of its kind in the region.