Weekly Update, week ending 2nd Aug 2019

Space Sector

Lease option agreed for Space Hub Sutherland

The owners of land earmarked for the Space Hub Sutherland development on the Moine Peninsula have agreed a lease option with developer, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Representatives of Melness Crofters Estate (MCE) and HIE signed the agreement on Wednesday 31 July. It secures the option for HIE to lease the land once planning consent for the project has been granted.

http://news.hie.co.uk/all-news/lease-option-agreed-for-space-hub-sutherland/

Energy sector

Scrabster Harbour

HIE Board approved £3.0 Million of grant funding to support the redevelopment of the St Ola Pier at the HIE July Board meeting.  This brings the total CNSRP partners’ total contribution to £8 Million, with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority having previously approved £5 Million. This completes the funding required for Scrabster Harbour allowing the redevelopment of the St Ola pier to which is expected to complete by mid-2020.

http://news.hie.co.uk/all-news/3m-for-scrabster-harbour-project/

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nda-cash-will-boost-economy-around-scrabster-harbour

Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited (BOWL)

The BOWL windfarm was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles on Monday 29^th July 2019.  This £2.5Billion Investment in renewable energy, now fully operational, will continue to generate 588MW (enough for 450,000 houses) for 25 years.

https://sse.com/newsandviews/allarticles/2019/07/beatrice-offshore-wind-farm-officially-opened-by-hrh-the-prince-charles-the-duke-of-rothesay/

Offshore Wind Sector deal

As part of the UK Government’s Offshore Wind Sector Deal, the industry is investing up to £250m to develop the UK supply chain, working with local enterprise partnerships, councils and development agencies, increasing productivity and fostering innovation.  This includes an investment of up to £100m in a new industry programme, the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership, delivered by ORE Catapult, which will help UK companies seeking to grow their business in the rapidly-growing global offshore wind market.  To find out more about the OWGP, its programmes, clusters and team, and to register your interest, visit the OWGP website.

Decommissioning Challenge Fund: – 2019 – 2020

The fourth round of the Decommissioning Challenge Fund opened to new applications on 15^th July 2019: https://www.gov.scot/policies/oil-and-gas/oil-and-gas-decommissioning/

Applications are welcome for projects that will strengthen Scottish decommissioning capability and capacity, meeting one of the following eligibility criteria:

1. Innovation associated with retrieval, transportation and disposal activities that address an industry challenge and/or lead to cost reduction
2. Projects that advance Scottish knowledge and skills across the decommissioning sector and lead to greater efficiency or safety, lead to a reduction of emissions, improve waste management and/or advance the circular economy.
3. Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) that demonstrate support is required for infrastructure, training, technology or equipment that will increase the competitiveness of Scotland’s decommissioning supply chain businesses, strengthening the existing supply chain
4. Infrastructure upgrades that will enable a facility to increase their competitiveness in securing large-scale onshore decommissioning projects.
   Applicants within this criterion must already hold the required SEPA licences, or be in the process of obtaining the required licences for needed to undertake onshore decommissioning (e.g. WML, PPC, etc.), or demonstrate that the site has already completed onshore decommissioning work within the last 24 months. Locations which do not meet the above criteria will not be eligible to apply.

Expressions of interest can be submitted through the website link (above). The closing date for full applications is 2^nd September 2019.

Business Services Sector

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has welcomed an international technology-led services and payments specialist as the newest tenant to Thurso Business Park.  As part of its development plans Equinity has relocated to the park from its previous base at Forss.

https://hie-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/equiniti-welcomed-to-thurso-business-park

General points of interest:

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 and keep an eye out for items that can support organisations seeking to improve the region.

This week:

 Social Innovation Competition Launch

Firstport’s latest Social Innovation Competition has just opened for applications. http://www.firstport.org.uk/programmes/social-innovation-competition

This is an annual competition which seeks ground breaking ideas that tackle Scotland’s most pressing social and environmental issues.

There are three awards of £5,000 to be won, combined with tailored support to refine and develop the winning ideas.

The theme of this year’s competition is ‘Individuals Affected by Disability’ and is looking to support new and emerging social innovators to develop their idea to benefit this target group.

Successful entries will involve innovative ideas and solutions that support individuals directly affected by disability, as well as those indirectly affected, such as carers and family members.

The deadline for applications is the 16 September 2019 at noon.

Kind regards

Peter