Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Highlands and Islands target renewable energy opportunities

16th May 2011

Photograph of Highlands and Islands target renewable energy opportunities

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the community and economic development agency for north and west Scotland, is ramping up its drive to help the region become a world centre for the renewable energy industry.

The development agency has created a new senior post to spearhead its efforts to capitalise on the region's natural resources and secure economic benefits which could be worth billions to Scotland's economy.

Calum Davidson, previously Head of Key Sectors with HIE, has been appointed Director of Energy and Low Carbon.

HIE Chief Executive Alex Paterson said the new role would cover the whole of the energy sector, focusing on the 'once in a generation' opportunities presented by renewable energy in particular.

"The energy sector plays a significant role in the Highlands and Islands and has the potential to grow dramatically in the coming years," said Mr Paterson.

"HIE's decision to create this new post underlines the significance we attach to the sector, both as an economic driver and as a contributor to Scotland's drive to cut carbon emissions.

"Our ambition is for the Highlands and Islands to become an international leader in the field of renewables, which has the potential to play a major role in Scotland's economic recovery and growth."

Mr Davidson said HIE was firmly focused on ensuring the region can derive the maximum economic and community benefits from its considerable renewable energy potential.

"It's well known that the Highlands and Islands has some of the best wind, wave and tidal energy resources in Europe, and we're already attracting interest from developers around the world," he said.

"However, these resources on their own won't deliver economic growth to the region.

"If the energy sources are here, we want the jobs to be established here too.

"There are a number of things we can do to improve our chances.

"We can continue to develop research capacity, as we're already doing with testing, deployment, environmental impacts, new technologies and systems in Orkney, Caithness, Argyll and the Western Isles.

"We will be working to expand the supply chain of local businesses involved in the sector, including those with a background in oil and gas and nuclear.

"Together with Scottish Development International, we will be marketing ourselves across the globe to attract major manufacturers to the Highlands and Islands, especially to our key fabrications sites.

"And we will be working hand in glove with government on the critical issues of transmission charging and grid connections to ensure that the Highlands and Islands remains at the heart of the new energy revolution.

"This is a very important sector for the Highlands and Islands, and there's never been a more exciting time to be involved in its development."

Mr Davidson is a regional planner with 25 years' experience in economic development.

He was born in Caithness with North Sutherland connections and brought up in Shetland and Inverness, where he attended Inverness Royal Academy.

He lives in Cromarty in the Black Isle, is a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art and Stirling University, and is married with three sons.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

New Orkney Whisky Distillery In Moves To Create Jobs And Lower EmissionsThumbnail for article : New Orkney Whisky Distillery In Moves To Create Jobs And Lower Emissions
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.  
Cuts And More Cuts But Still Cash For Arts In Highland - £30,000 For TapestriesThumbnail for article : Cuts And More Cuts But Still Cash For Arts In Highland - £30,000 For Tapestries
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.  
£24.5m To Secure £350m Inward InvestmentThumbnail for article : £24.5m To Secure £350m Inward Investment
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.  
Property Demand Study Launched By Highlands and Islands Enterprisie
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.  
Shetland Engineering Firm Expands And Creates JobsThumbnail for article : Shetland Engineering Firm Expands And Creates Jobs
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.  
Region's Businesses Value Community Links
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).  
Support Programme Takes Young Entrepreneurs To The Next Level
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.  
Power Boost For Off-grid Island
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 ProgrammeThumbnail for article : Region's Young Workforce To Take Part In Pioneering Sustainability Skills Programme
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.  
New Facility For Renewables Industry Trainees
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.