New Brand For Highlands And Islands Renewable Energy Sector

21st February 2006

A new brand to represent the renewable energy sector of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland was launched on Tuesday 21st Feb 2006 at an event organised by theHighland Renewable Energy Group (HiREG) in Inverness.

The HI-energy brand identity has been designed for all those involved with the renewable energy sector to use in order to raise and reinforce awareness of the region and its aspiration to be a leading centre of excellence.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has worked with branding consultant Jean Ramsay Smith to manage the development of the brand, which was designed by Tayburn. The brand essence centres around three aspects: dynamism, resourcefulness and diversity.

The brand was created following widespread consultation of stakeholders, including local authorities, industry groupings, community energy representatives UHI and local renewable energy forums, who have been involved in the various stages throughout the process.

Jean Ramsay Smith said: "The development of the renewable energy sector offers significant opportunities to build on the region's extensive natural resources. In recognition of this and the need to work together to grow the sector and raise the profile of the Highlands and Islands we have developed a new brand identity that captures our unique position and personality and helps us achieve our ambitions for the future.

"By co-ordinating our marketing and communication messages and speaking with a single voice, we have the potential to create a much bigger impact within a competitive marketplace and we can make sure that the area is recognised and understood as a dynamic region determined to be at the forefront of the UK renewable energy sector."

Any individual company, organisation or community group within the Highlands and Islands, regardless of size, can use the new brand identity free of charge. It is simple and versatile and can be used to enhance an organisation's own marketing materials and help them to be seen as part of the Highlands and Islands renewable energy success story.