Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider WED 16TH APR 2025    10:21:24 AM BST
This site uses cookies, by continuing to use this site you accept the terms of our privacy policy
Back To Top
Caithness.Org Quick Links
Home
Construction
Leisure
Manufacturing
Misc.
Primary
Professional
Public
Retail
Tourism
Transport
Site Map
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Feed 2.0 Loading...

Space Hub Sutherland Will Be A Launch Pad For Jobs And The Economy

30th September 2021

Photograph of Space Hub Sutherland Will Be A Launch Pad For Jobs And The Economy

A new report launched (Wednesday 29th September 2021), commissioned by Caithness Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, demonstrates the economic benefits that Space Hub Sutherland will bring to the North Highland and Moray areas.

Space Hub Sutherland - a new satellite launch site - will bring huge employment and tourism benefits to the Scottish Highlands.

Jacobs, the global professional services company, estimates that a Northern Space Cluster could create 740 jobs in the Highlands and Islands and boost the regional economy by £56 million per year by the end of this decade.

The report, The North Highland and Moray Space Cluster Strategy, funded by Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), was produced for Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, which aims to attract a space business cluster to the North Highlands and Moray.

"As a commercial spaceport, Space Hub Sutherland will play a critical role in bringing income and employment to the North Highlands and Moray region," said Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership chairman Ian Ross. "It will help to retain highly skilled individuals in the North Highlands and offer opportunities to young people to help stem the flow of depopulation. Space Hub Sutherland will unlock further development of the Moray space cluster and support UK and Scottish government objectives for growing the space sector."

Space Hub Sutherland, which is being developed by HIE, was the first vertical satellite launch site to secure planning permission in the UK and could become Europe's first continental orbital spaceport.

The Jacobs economic impact model estimates that by 2030, the development could support a further 520 jobs in the rest of Scotland, including at space rocket manufacturers Orbex in Forres, and 140 in other parts of the U.K.

HIE Director of Strategic Projects David Oxley said: "Jacobs is a world leader in this kind of analysis and their findings are a huge vote of confidence in Space Hub Sutherland. Our central aim in developing this project has always been to generate significant benefits for the local community and the wider regional and Scottish economies. This is a highly credible report that we believe endorses our vision for a Northern Space Cluster, building upon a commercial spaceport in Sutherland, and the positive impacts it will generate."

Trudy Morris, Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: "In addition to the clear economic benefits to the region, this report also demonstrates the capability, flexibility and willingness of the local supply chain to capture opportunities in an exciting new industry. With experience in a wide range of energy sectors, our highly-skilled local supply chain is ready and able to engage with the UK space sector as this exciting development proceeds."

Chris Larmour, Chief Executive Officer at Orbex said "Space Hub Sutherland is already a catalyst for new jobs and commercial opportunities in the North Highlands and Moray - and this will only intensify over the coming years. We are happy to play our part in this economic growth and to create new prospects for young people in the area."

The overall benefit of the North Highland and Moray Space Cluster to the UK economy would be an additional £99m in average annual gross value added, which is a measure of the value of goods and services produced, with £90 million of that generated in Scotland.

The spaceport itself will support more than 40 full-time jobs when fully operational with 12 launches per year. But Jacobs says more jobs will be created in construction and tourism, with the launches expected to attract an annual total of more than 4,400 visitors, whose spending will boost local hospitality businesses.

Read the full report HERE Pdf 79 pages

Read more at the Space Cluster web pages

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Argyll seafood firm expands - A history of rising energy costs made things difficult
Loch Fyne company Otter Ferry Seafish Limited to increase production, safeguard the workforce and create new jobs.   A £350,000 expansion project at a seafood company in Argyll will increase production, safeguard the workforce and create new jobs.  
Moray agriculture firm in £400k growth projectThumbnail for article : Moray agriculture firm in £400k growth project
A family run agriculture company in Moray has embarked on a major growth project that will increase production and efficiency, improve product quality and create jobs.   James Taylor & Son, operating at Kintessack near Forres, has secured up to £161,446 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards total project costs of £403,616.  
Limited space for businesses on Digital Tourism Support programme
Businesses in the tourism sector and its supply chain in the Highland Council area are being encouraged to secure a place on the Digital Tourism Support Programme.   The programme is offering support to eligible businesses and social enterprises of up to three days of free, personalised, one-to-one digital advice from industry experts.  
£10 million planned for Port of Nigg projectThumbnail for article : £10 million planned for Port of Nigg project
Public investment is planned for a major redevelopment project at Port of Nigg in the Highlands.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved up to £10 million to support development of the port's Inner East Quay, which will result in the creation of a new heavy-duty quayside and the introduction of roll-on roll-off capability.  
Next phase of small business units for Wick Business Park
A further phase of development is getting under way at Wick Business Park in a move that will support economic growth and strengthen population retention in Caithness.   Park owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has awarded a £1.8m contract to Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure Ltd to build a further four new business units.  
Alistair Dodds Chair of HIE to retire in JulyThumbnail for article : Alistair Dodds  Chair of HIE to retire in July
The chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has announced plans to retire from the role in July.   Alistair Dodds CBE has served on the HIE board for 11 years.  
Cairngorm Mountain Railway returns to serviceThumbnail for article : Cairngorm Mountain Railway returns to service
The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain resort returned to service on Thursday 27 February 2025.   Scotland's only funicular railway has been out of action since August 2023, while an extensive programme of remediation works has been carried out, led by contractor Balfour Beatty on behalf of estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).  
HIE approves further £863k for Inverness Castle project
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved a further £863,000 contribution to the Inverness Castle Experience project.   Led by The Highland Council, the Inverness Castle Experience is a key project within the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.  
LionVolt in Thurso Driving Innovation in Next-Generation Battery TechnologyThumbnail for article : LionVolt in Thurso Driving Innovation in Next-Generation Battery Technology
LionVolt, a leader in 3D metal anode architecture, is advancing energy storage solutions with groundbreaking technology that enhances battery energy density, accelerates charging speeds, and supports electrification across EVs, consumer wearables, and hybrid flight.   Following a €15 million investment and the acquisition of a battery cell pilot production plant in Thurso, the company is expanding its production capacity and driving technological advancements in Scotland.  
Food and drink businesses offered new help with net zero planningThumbnail for article :  Food and drink businesses offered new help with net zero planning
Highland based food and drink producers have until 28 March to enquire about a new support programme aimed at helping businesses in the sector to cut carbon emissions.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is looking for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to take part in the food and drink TechHUB Net Zero Mobilisation programme.