Weekly update, 23rd November

Energy & Business Services:

There was an event in Wick this week for local companies interested in opportunities in the offshore wind market. Representatives from DEME Group outlined its companies’ roles in the development, construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms, and in the rapidly expanding UK offshore wind market. A number of local companies attended the event, which was hosted by CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and they learned of opportunities to register as potential supply chain businesses.

Good to see Tim Cornelius, CEO of Atlantis Resources Ltd, gaining an award at the International Tidal Energy Summit held this week in London. He was voted Most Influential Professional, and used his acceptance speech to galvanise support for the tidal industry, suggesting that “Scotland is to tidal what Silicon Valley is to Tech.” More at http://www.scottishenergynews.com/scotlands-tidal-energy-will-be-great-for-britain-forecasts-atlantis-chief-cornelius-as-he-scoops-top-industry-award/

Enabling Activities:

Following the recent AGM of the North Highland Regeneration Fund (NHRF) where young people presented business ideas to a panel of judges, NHRF and North Highland College UHI will be running the Final of its “iStart Challenge” competition on Thursday 3^rd December at the Weigh Inn, Thurso. Young people aged between 16-24 in the area were invited to put forward their business ideas, and a shortlist of eight has been selected to pitch their ideas to a panel of expert judges, who will select winners in a range of categories. If you would like to attend, please contact info@caithnesschamber.com or 01847 890076.

Caithness Chamber of Commerce led the formal Ministerial launch of its “Developing The Young Workforce” initiative this week, with Scottish Government Minister Annabelle Ewing MSP present. As previously highlighted, the initiative brings together business, school and College/ University interests and is supported by CNSRP partners NDA and Scottish Government.

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:

• The CNSRP Executive Board met this week, and heard updates from me on key projects on the CNSRP Programme. Members also discussed the commissioning early next year of an updated “Socio-economic Impacts of Dounreay Decommissioning” study. This will pick up on data identified in a 2006 baseline study and a 2011 follow-up study. These are commissioned to establish any trends over time, helping identify areas where partner efforts have been able to assist, and also to highlight areas for future focus. The 2006 Baseline study is available to view at http://www.dounreay.com/UserFiles/File/economy/Dourneay%20baseline%20report.pdf and the 2011 report is at http://www.cnsrp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Socio-economic-Impacts-of-Dounreay-Decommissioning-Final-Report.pdf