Weekly update, 4th January 2016

Energy & Business Services:

One of the key elements in transmitting power from renewables in the north – the Beauly-Denny electricity power line – went into operation just before Christmas. For an aerial look at the power line see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35146301

As the MeyGen tidal project enters a crucial year Atlantis Resources – the owner of MeyGen – has announced the onshore testing of its AR1500 turbine at the National Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) facility in NE England. The test period will aim to prove the reliability and performance of its power train system before being deployed at the MeyGen site in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth. http://renews.biz/101053/atlantis-to-test-ar1500-at-ore-catapult

Enabling Activities:

Further encouraging news on the rollout of superfast broadband, with news that the first cabinet in Bettyhill went “live” just before Christmas. Properties in Bettyhill should now be able to order faster broadband services. It’s particularly good to see the infrastructure spreading across North Sutherland, with continued progress expected throughout this year. As mentioned before, you can keep up to date with detailed progress on roll-out at http://www.hie.co.uk/whereandwhen  

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 delivered an update presentation (entitled “progress and predictions”) on Partnership activities to members of Thurso & district Rotary Club yesterday (Thursday 7^th). The presentation was at the kind invitation of Rotarian Colin Chessor, and covered progress with jobs commitments and enabling infrastructure, as well as an update on our assessment of the potential jobs that could be created in the area between now and 2030.
• A key space in Thurso has seen activity over the last few weeks, with a planning application submitted to develop Class 1 retail space at the site of the former Thurso Mart. Further information at http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NZGNHSIHGP500