Weekly update, 26th March 2018

Energy & Business services:

As progress continues with the onshore and offshore construction of the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm, news comes this week that the other offshore wind development in the Moray Firth has seen a change to its consortium of ownership. A 33.4% stake in the Moray East project has been taken by Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, bringing them on board with existing shareholders EDPR and Engie. More on this news at http://renews.biz/110600/mitsubishi-makes-moray-move/ and further background on the project is at http://www.morayoffshore.com/moray-east/the-project/ Further interesting news has recently come with the announcement of a potential “Sector Deal” for offshore wind – see communications below for more.

Enabling activities:

Wick John O Groats Airport Consultative Committee met this week in the airport. The Committee brings together representatives from carriers Eastern/ Flybe and Loganair, as well as Far North Aviation and local community/ business stakeholders. It was useful to hear of the early views of the carriers following the changes to alliances last Autumn that saw Eastern partnering with Flybe, following the end of the latter’s partnership with Loganair. I was particularly interested to hear about the rise in leisure-based traffic on the Wick-Edinburgh service, with groups booking weekend trips to the capital. The Committee is managed by Caithness Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.

Communications:
As part of an ongoing process of helping communicate progress with the delivery of aspects of our economic transition programme CNSRP’s partners work together to generate news stories for local, regional and national media. I also speak on a regular basis to individuals and organisations across the area to update on progress. This week:

I was lucky enough to have a chance to talk to members of the Highland Youth Parliament’s Caithness area forum when it met in Wick recently. Before our very productive discussion on opportunities for the area, the members had spent a morning creating a short video on an issue of their choice – which was transport. It can be viewed at https://m.facebook.com/WickYouthDevelopment/

The latest edition of the Energy North supplement produced by Scottish Provincial Press is out this week. It carries an interesting piece on the development of a “Sector deal” between the offshore wind industry and the UK Government. Scottish Renewables is calling it an opportunity to build on the success of existing projects such as the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project off the Caithness coast. Online link in next week’s update!

The Highlands and Islands Food & Drink Awards are open for nominations, with a range of categories covering all aspects of the industry. Of particular note this year is the Young Ambassador award, reflecting the fact that 2018 is the Year of Young People. You can find out how to nominate someone at http://www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com/