Weekly update, 11th January 2016

Energy & Business Services:

Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd and independent energy company Danske Commodities have signed a 15-year power purchase agreement for the latter to manage 50% of the output from the Beatrice development to be built off the Caithness coast. As previously reported, CNSRP partners have been involved in helping Wick Harbour Authority as it discusses the opportunity for the operation and maintenance base for the BOWL development to be at Wick.   http://renews.biz/101116/beatrice-secures-power-partner

Atlantis Resources Ltd has this week announced the appointment of a new Director of Project Development. Cameron Smith will have responsibility for the next phase of the MeyGen project, as well as other projects in the Atlantis portfolio. http://atlantisresourcesltd.com/media-centre/atlantis-annoucements/81-2016-annoucements/396-senior-management-appointment.html Meanwhile the North Planning Applications Committee of Highland Council has this week approved plans to construct an electricity substation on land at Mey. The substation will form part of the transmission of power from the MeyGen project onto the national electricity grid.

Enabling Activities:

Plans for the fourth “Jobs and How to Get Them” event are moving forward very quickly now, with another meeting this week of the group coordinating the event. It will take place on Saturday 6^th February from 10am til 2pm in Wick’s Assembly Rooms, and will again feature displays and personnel from a range of employers and support organisations, all focused on opportunities for employment and provision of advice on employability issues. You can find up to date information on the event at https://www.facebook.com/caithnessjobs/?fref=ts

The Regional Board of the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) initiative met this week to review progress since separate launches in both Caithness and Sutherland in October and November respectively. The initiative is managed by Caithness Chamber of Commerce with support from CNSRP partners Scottish Government and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and is part of a Scotland-wide programme aimed at taking forward the key recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce. This was led by Sir Ian Wood on behalf of 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:

• Great to read Gordon Calder’s piece in the John O’Groat Journal highlighting the award of a contract to a local company to help in the construction on the NDA Archive in Wick. Caithness Flagstone will provide 2,500 square metres of stone for paving and entrance area at the facility, which is currently being built on land near Wick John O’Groats Airport. The Archive project, led by CNSRP partner the NDA, has been on the CNSRP programme since its inception.
• Also in the John O’Groat Journal is a Chamber of Commerce column from William Calder of Scrabster Seafoods, highlighting the ongoing success of food & drink companies from the area, and making a plea for increased usage of local produce.