Weekly update, 13th May

SpaceHub Sutherland:
The team continues with a programme of drop-in events on the ground around the area. In addition to a weekly presence at the Kyle Centre in Tongue, next week the team will be at the Village Hall in Skerray on Tuesday 14th May (from 3.30pm until 8pm) and the Kinlochbervie Hotel on Wednesday 15th May (again from 3.30pm until 8pm). For details on the project and the programme of events see http://www.hie.co.uk/regional-information/area-information/caithness-and-sutherland/uk-space-port/community-engagement.html

Energy & Business Services:
As previously highlighted, next week sees a meeting in Thurso to highlight the DeepWind Offshore Supply Chain Cluster. This is the North of Scotland supply chain cluster (one of 8 in the UK that is being created under the UK Offshore Wind Sector Deal) with the developers that are involved in the projects in the Moray Firth and on the Aberdeenshire coast. It will look at the deep wind opportunity covering both fixed bottom and floating wind and is also looking out to the next offshore wind leasing round, ScotWind, which could see at least one project off the Caithness coast. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/deepwind-cluster-supply-chain-roadshow-tickets-61286468477 Initially the Cluster will be serviced by HIE, and will have a presence at the All-Energy exhibition and conference in Glasgow next week, so any companies attending this event can register for 1-2-1 time at https://www.all-energy.co.uk/en/Whats-On/Meet-the-Developer-Share-Fair/. Meanwhile, news that the final batch of Siemens Gamesa turbines have been loaded aboard the Pacific Orca for installation at the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm site off the Caithness coast. https://renews.biz/53014/beatrice-nears-finish-line/

The newly-established DDF Alliance (Cavendish Nuclear, BAM Nuttall, KDC Contractors Ltd and JGC Engineering & Technical Services Ltd) is holding a supplier day on Thursday 23 May at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso from 08:00-12:30 to meet with key contacts within the organisation, and to network with other businesses. DDF Alliance was created to work under the Dounreay Decommissioning services framework, which was recently announced. To book your place and to find out more about the one-to-one sessions, please contact Fiona Levack on fiona@caithnesschamber.com by Monday 20 May 2019.

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:
• Next week sees the start of a consultation programme in support of the Peatlands Partnership’s move to propose UNESCO World Heritage status for the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland. The first drop-in event will be in the Pulteney Centre, Wick on Tuesday 14th May from 11am-7pm, followed by events in Golspie, Helmsdale, Dunbeath later in the week. For a full list of venues, dates and times see http://www.theflowcountry.org.uk/world-heritage-site/
• It was really good to see the significant coverage given to the visit home by David Mackay, the chief pilot of the Virgin Galactic craft that achieved earth orbit, helping bring commercial spaceflight closer. Born in Thurso and raised in Helmsdale, Mr Mackay was welcomed back with a packed event at Timespan, where he displayed the piece of Helmsdale rock he took into orbit with him. https://stv.tv/news/highlands-islands/1437604-first-scot-in-space-lands-back-in-his-home-village/