Week Commencing 21st September 2015 Energy & Business Services It is good to note this week's coverage in the local press of the arrival of the cable-laying vessel "Siem Daya 1" in the Pentland Firth as part of Atlantis Resources Ltd's MeyGen tidal project. Following the successful completion of directional drilling for the cables that will take power from the four Phase 1A devices to the onshore Power Conversion Unit at Ness of Quoys, the laying of the cables this week marks a further milestone for the project.
The latest batch of Dounreay's newly qualified skilled workers were encouraged to make the most of the exciting opportunities and challenges ahead. This year Dounreay's new recruits are the sixtieth group of apprentices in a long line of young people joining the site's highly respected apprenticeship scheme since 1955.
A range of unusual devices have been designed and built by Dounreay's in-house design team over the years. Probing the depths of a former nuclear reactor with remotely controlled equipment isn't a simple process and requires some ingenious thinking.
Energy & Business Services The massive Offshore Europe Conference and Exhibition took place in Aberdeen this week. The event, which is one of the world's largest technical events on offshore exploration and production, draws around 1,500 exhibitors and thousands of visitors from across the world.
Week Commencing 31st August 2015 Energy & Business Services As work continues to help ensure that the north is prepared to take advantage of the significant economic potential from offshore wind developments off the east coast of Caithness/ Sutherland, Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (BOWL) is holding a workshop in Wick next week with its engineering, procurement and construction contractors and CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). https://d.adroll.com/cm/r/outhttps://d.adroll.com/cm/b/outRepresentatives from each organisation will be on hand to provide an update on the latest project information and answer any questions on the day.
Week commencing 24th August 2015 Energy & Business Services I was able to help with a visit to Caithness this week by representatives from an Aberdeen-based multi-national energy company. I introduced the representatives to some local organisations, and it was particularly good to see immediate interest in practical opportunities to do business in the area.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), in association with the Site Licence Companies (SLCs), invite you to ‘connect and innovate' at their fifth annual event. Entry is free of charge to delegates and exhibitors.
Week Commencing 17th August 2015. Energy & Business Services I was grateful for the chance to meet this week with members of Wick Harbour Authority board and Cavendish Nuclear secondee Shona Kirk to review schedules and progress with the development project that sits on the CNSRP Programme.
The PFR stone table with the inscription 'Out of Caithness to the World' will become the centre piece of the NDA Archive when it opens its doors in 2017. Construction of the new facility has begun at Wick and was officially opened by David Flear, Dounreay Stakeholder Group chairman, when he cut the first turf at an opening ceremony in August.
Week Commencing 10th August 2015 Tourism, Food & Drink There has been further excellent media coverage this week of the North Coast 500 route following triple cycling world record holder Mark Beaumont's amazing non-stop circumnavigation of the route. We watched him flash past us in Thurso on Tuesday morning on his way to completing the journey in 38 hours! As recently reported the route has been voted one of the world's top six tourist drives.
Pulteneytown People's Project is contracted to deliver The Employability Fund Programme for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). The purpose of the programme is to prepare people for employment or further training opportunities in their chosen work interest area, by supporting them to improve their knowledge and basic skills required for their chosen sector. The programme focuses on work-based knowledge, skills and experience to be gained both within our training centre and on work placements, with any relevant training needs being addressed as per each participant’s individual training plan.
Weeks commencing 27th July and 3rd august 2015 Energy & Business Services Further good coverage this week for the ongoing activity at Scrabster Harbour, which has had a record month for Oil & Gas traffic through the port. This increased level of business for Scrabster Harbour Trust is also having a welcome impact on Wick John O' Groats airport, which oil & gas crews are using for crew transfers.
A ceremonial turf cutting ceremony marked the official start of building work on the new archive that will store nuclear records from across the UK. David Flear, chairman of the Dounreay Stakeholder Group, dug into the ground at the Wick site where the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's Nuclear Archive will start to take shape over the next 12 months.
DSRL have announced the new managing director designate, Phil Craig. With more than 20 years' experience in the nuclear industry, Phil’s career has focused on supporting the UK nuclear decommissioning, defence and existing power generation sectors.
UKAEA has been selected to supply the Hot Cell Remote Handling Facility for the new €1.8 billion European Spallation Source (ESS). ESS is currently under construction in Sweden.
Week Commencing 20th July 2015 Energy & Business Services The Ministry of Defence's Naval Reactor Test Establishment (NRTE) at Vulcan saw its test reactor shut down for the last time this week, marking the first time in around 60 years that there has not been an operational reactor in Caithness. The facility beside the Dounreay site is operated for the MoD by Rolls Royce.
Twelve students successfully completed the Ready Steady Work course held in early July. The four day course sponsored by DSRL and North Highland College was offered to all senior secondary schools in Wick, Thurso and Farr.
Week Commencing 13th July 2015 Energy & Business Services Good to catch up this week with Louise Smith of Caithness Renewables, and to hear the welcome news that the project she has been working on with Caithness Voluntary Group and Transition Black Isle has taken a big step forward. ACTION Highland Highway has been awarded £35,000 from CNSRP partner Scottish Government's Local Energy Challenge Fund in order to help establish a network of electric vehicle charging points, using an innovative link with Denchi Power, who supply batteries for use by the Ministry of Defence.
The contract applies to twelve sites throughout the UK managed by the decommissioning company Magnox Ltd as well as the nuclear site at Dounreay in Caithness, Scotland, Radioactive Waste Management Limited's site in Harwell and the Low-Level Waste Repository in West Cumbria. A number of segments make up the contrac.
Caberfeidh Court. Caberfeidh Court is situated in a quiet residential area in Wellington Avenue in Wick and is available for people aged 50 or over.