Weekly update, 13th May 2019

SpaceHub Sutherland:
The team continued with a programme of drop-in events this week around the area. The team ran drop-in events at the Village Hall in Skerray and the Kinlochbervie Hotel. For details on the project and the programme of events see http://www.hie.co.uk/regional-information/area-information/caithness-and-sutherland/uk-space-port/community-engagement.html

Energy & Business Services:
As previously highlighted, a meeting was held in Thurso to highlight the newly-established DeepWind Offshore Supply Chain Cluster. This is the North of Scotland supply chain cluster (one of 8 in the UK that is being created under the UK Offshore Wind Sector Deal) with the developers that are involved in the projects around the north. It will look at the deep wind opportunity covering both fixed bottom and floating wind and is also looking out to the next offshore wind leasing round (ScotWind). The Cluster also had a presence at the All-Energy exhibition and conference in Glasgow on 14-16 May.

Meanwhile, news that the final batch of Siemens Gamesa turbines had been loaded aboard the Pacific Orca for installation at the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm site off the Caithness coast (https://renews.biz/53014/beatrice-nears-finish-line/) was quickly followed this week by confirmation that the installation process for the 84 turbines has now been completed, bringing an end to this crucial offshore phase of construction. Onshore construction at Wick harbour is also progressing well, with the new Operations base nearing completion. https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/beatrice-final-turbine-hailed-as-fantastic-milestone-for-caithness-178057/

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:
• It was good to see the positive views of the future expressed by local Highland Councillors at a recent meeting of the Caithness Committee. Previous concerns had been expressed at projections about future population levels in the north, but Councillors pointed out the range of measures being taken forward to ensure that the area remains a great place in which to live, work and study. https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/plans-in-place-to-offset-population-decline-177965/
• This week saw the start of a consultation programme in support of the Peatlands Partnership’s move to propose UNESCO World Heritage status for the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland. I supported the first drop-in event, which was in the Pulteney Centre, Wick, and this was followed by events in Golspie, Helmsdale, Dunbeath later in the week. For a full list of venues, dates and times see http://www.theflowcountry.org.uk/world-heritage-site/