Inverness To Host Scotland's Largest Marine Energy Conference
16th September 2011
Inverness is warming up to host Scotland's largest marine conference and exhibition at Eden Court Theatre next week (19th and 20th September). The Scottish Renewables Marine Energy Conference, in association with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), will see over 200 delegates and 30 exhibitors attending.
The conference will focus on the real issues around moving an industry from R&D and pre-commercial testing to full commercialisation. The new Scottish Government target of 800MW of wave and tidal energy installed by 2020 gives the Scottish marine energy industry a concrete target - the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
Delegates will hear from a number of influential industry experts and the workshops are designed to generate practical actions for supporting the growth of the Scottish marine sector and delivering the ambitious marine energy targets set out in the Scottish Government's Renewables Routemap. The marine sector has been set a target of 800MW to come from wave and tidal energy to contribute to the wider target of 100% of Scotland's electricity requirements coming from renewables by 2020.
There will be a dinner at the Bishop's Palace on Monday evening where leaders from the wave and tidal sector, local and national government, regulators and academia will have the opportunity for further networking and discussion about the industry requirements for the continued development of Scotland's world-leading marine sector.
This is the third year the landmark policy and networking event for Scotland's wave and tidal sector has been held in Inverness.
Calum Davidson, HIE's director of energy and low carbon said: "We are delighted the Highlands and Islands has again been chosen to host Scotland's largest marine energy conference. Scotland and the Highlands and Islands in particular are truly leading the world in marine energy development and deployment.
"This event is a great opportunity for our businesses already working in the sector, as well as those considering expansion into wave and tidal energy, to hear first hand from project and technology developers, Scottish Government, regulators and finance and market experts. We have huge supply chain opportunities here in the Highlands and Islands for the offshore renewables industry and we want to ensure we are best placed to maximise the economic and community benefits this presents."
Johanna Yates, policy manager for offshore wind, wave and tidal at Scottish Renewables, said: "The event provides an opportunity to learn about the progress being made in the industry as well as the continued challenges and possible solutions for overcoming these. Together with the chance to network with the Scottish and UK wave and tidal industry and to hear the perspectives of leading specialists in this field offers attendees a valuable experience.
"This year so far has proved to be pivotal for the wave and tidal sector with real progress coming in terms of steel in the water and new players entering the market. With a real focus on collaboration and technology, we are gearing up for discussion and practical actions coming for the conference debates."
For further information, visit:
www.scottishrenewables.com/events/marine-conference-exhibition
Related Businesses
Related Articles
An Aviemore-based adventure tourism operator has made significant progress in sustainability over the past two years by investing in e-bikes, e-vehicles and a carbon labelling system. Wilderness Scotland has reduced its scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions by 16 percent through its commitment to business decarbonisation.
The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain looks set to be back in action towards the end of December or early in the new year. Contractor Balfour Beatty has confirmed that, weather permitting, its current programme of remediation works on the viaduct that supports the railway is due to finish in the next week to 10 days, after which teams working for the company plan to demobilise from the mountainside.
Fetcha Chocolates is investing in new equipment to quadruple its capacity, increase turnover and create employment. An Argyll based chocolate manufacturer is investing in new equipment to quadruple its capacity, increase turnover and create employment.
Is your young business ready for the next step?. The Young Business Capital Grant helps young businesses and social enterprises (under 5 years old) invest in projects that stimulate growth.
Shell-volution is an ambitious industry-wide initiative supported by the public sector and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) which has been awarded £4.4 million of investment from the UK Government as part of the Islands Growth Deal. This innovative, ground-breaking project is set to transform shellfish aquaculture, bringing sustainable growth and additional quality jobs in mussel farming, based on detailed investigations (mapping and monitoring) and creating a model for improving security and reliability of wild spat recruitment, through industry best practice.
A Nairn-based foundry, which has achieved international recognition for its larger-than-life bronze castings has invested in a £200,000 expansion to help it reach greater heights. An award of £60,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has helped Black Isle Bronze to improve infrastructure and purchase equipment to extend the range of projects the firm can undertake.
Young businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands looking to increase productivity, innovation and employment can apply for funding from HIE. The fourth round of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Young Business Capital Grant (YBCG) is now open to businesses that have been trading for less than five years with up to 250 full-time equivalent employees.
Ambitious young businesspeople in the Highlands and Islands have just one more chance to benefit from a tailored support programme. IMPACT30 was launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 2018 to help nurture and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The winners of the Highlands and Islands Food & Drink Awards (HIFAD) 2024 were announced on Friday 1 November at a prestigious ceremony at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness. Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the awards celebrate the talent, quality and diversity across food, drink and hospitality in the Highlands and Islands.
A family run engineering fabrication firm in Caithness is investing in a project to improve productivity, grow business turnover and create new jobs. Gow's Lybster Limited has been working with development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) over several years to develop its growth plans.