Pentland Firth Grid Connections To Be Investigated
11th September 2008
Consultants have been appointed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Scottish Government to identify options for renewable energy producers in the Pentland Firth, between Caithness and Orkney, to connect energy supplies to the grid.
Xero Energy Ltd has been awarded the contract through the Pentland Firth Tidal Energy Project. Xero Energy will assess the present day grid capacity in the region and provide recommendations on what grid infrastructure and improvements will be required for the project to meet its objectives.
The tidal energy project aims to support the development of a marine energy industry in the Pentland Firth to the significant benefit of the local and national economies in a sustainable and environmentally aware way.
Audrey MacIver, head of HIE's energy team said: "We are very pleased to be awarding this contract as issues relating to the electricity grid are key to the future of renewable energy and hence the economy all over the Highlands and Islands."
This is the first piece of work that the Pentland Firth Tidal Energy Project has commissioned, and project manager Louise Smith said she hoped that it marked the start of a significant phase in a new industry for the region.
Nigel Scott of Xero Energy commented: "We are delighted to be working with HIE to develop a blueprint for grid connection of Pentland Firth marine energy against what is, by any account, a challenging grid related engineering and regulatory landscape. We hope this will lead to big things."
The Pentland Firth Tidal Energy Project is one of the key initiatives being promoted by the Caithness Regeneration Partnership, established early last year to help develop the economy during the run-down of the nuclear plant. The Partnership is made up of four agencies - Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Highland Council, the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA) and the Scottish Government.
For more on the Caithness Rgeneration Partnership go to
www.caithness.org/regeneration/index.htm
Related Businesses
Related Articles
10/12/2025
How Development and Innovation Have Been Supported in the Highlands & Islands Over the Past 60 Years
For 60 years, the Highlands and Islands have been the focus of one of the UK's most distinctive long-term regional development efforts. Since the creation of the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) in 1965—and its evolution into Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 1991.
9/12/2025
Planning consent granted for Inverness Campus
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been granted planning permission in principle to progress the second and final phase of development at Inverness Campus. The consent is subject to a Section 75 agreement being finalised between HIE and The Highland Council.9/12/2025
Island Business Resilience Fund expansion
Businesses affected by ferry disruption in Coll, Tiree, the Small Isles, Mull, Iona, Ulva, Barra, Vatersay, Islay and Jura can now access financial support. The £4.4 million Islands Business Resilience Fund (IBRF) is expanding to support more businesses experiencing economic impacts linked to travel issues.8/12/2025
What the NC500 Research Projects Are Designed to Do - and Why They Matter for the Highlands
As the North Coast 500 approaches its tenth anniversary, it has become one of Scotland's most well-known tourism success stories. The 516-mile loop around the far north of the Highlands has been celebrated internationally, marketed as a world-class road trip, and credited with transforming visitor numbers in some of Scotland’s most remote areas.28/11/2025
Workforce North event spotlights Highland economy
EMPLOYERS and educators from across the Highlands have gathered to hear how a new initiative is aiming to transform the region's economy. Workforce North - A Call to Action brought together business leaders and teachers from primary and secondary schools from across the Highland Council area with a wide range of partners geared towards education, learning and skills development at Strathpeffer Pavillion.
25/11/2025
Tartan challenge for UHI students offers £1,500 prize
Students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been challenged to design a tartan and be in with a chance of winning a £1,500 cash prize. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched THE COMPETITION to mark 60 years since the regional development agency (then named Highlands and Islands Development Board) was established in November 1965.
25/11/2025
The Rural AI Roadshow - How AI can help your rural business thrive
Scotland's enterprise agencies (Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise) The Scottish AI Alliance and The Data Lab have joined forces to plan and deliver an inspiring and educational Rural AI Roadshow. There will be three, one day, Rural AI Roadshow conferences taking place across Scotland in January 2026.
25/11/2025
Digital and AI innovation round-up for November
Scotland's digital future is accelerating, with AI and tech innovation transforming businesses. In this blog, HIE's Theresa Swayne shares November insights on funding, leadership, and how organisations can harness technology to stay ahead.
25/11/2025
Reflections from SEWF Rural: global lessons for the Highlands and Islands social impact economy
As we mark 60 years since the region's economic and community development agency was established, it's timely to reflect on the global aspects of our work on shaping rural futures. The recent Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) Rural Gathering in Sabah, Malaysia, welcomed changemakers from Australia, Ireland, India, Canada.
19/11/2025
Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide - FREE To Download
Scottish Enterprise's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide provides an overview of more than 150 organisations that support new and growing companies in Scotland. The guide includes incubators, accelerators, specialist industry programmes, co-working spaces and networking organisations.
Our Social Media
