Weekly update, 26th November

Energy & Business Services:

Following last week’s Offshore Wind Week Crown Estate Scotland has just published its report into future licensing rounds for offshore wind leases. http://www.crownestatescotland.com/media-and-notices/news-media-releases-opinion/timescales-and-next-steps-for-new-offshore-wind-leasing-for-scotland at the same time it has been interesting to note that Highland Council’s north planning committee this week agreed to raise no objection to the application by Moray West for an offshore windfarm off the Caithness coast. As previously highlighted here both the Beatrice and Moray East offshore windfarm companies have already received consent to develop, and have each attracted funding via the UK Government’s Contracts for Difference programme. The Moray East project expects to reach its final investment decision by the end of this year, and was this week given a boost with the announcement of financing from a syndicate of 16 banks  https://renews.biz/50289/cash-delight-for-moray-east/

Enabling activities:

Myself and Simon Middlemas gave a presentation on the work of CNSRP to around 150 5^th and 6^th year students at Thurso High School this week. We once again focused on the opportunities we see in the area economy over the coming years, highlighting choices for young people. We have completed a number of presentations to groups during this year, including school years and Dounreay workforce, and it has been good to see the level of interest and engagement in the opportunities we present.

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 Highland Council’s North Planning Committee has approved plans by Whitbread – the owners of the Premier Inn chain of hotels – to build an 81 bed Premier Inn on vacant land beside Thurso Railway Station. Groundworks are expected to begin early next year.  https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/News/Planning-permission-for-Thurso-Premier-Inn-granted-27112018.htm