Weekly update, 9th July
13th
Jul,
2018
Energy & Business Services: Yet another milestone was achieved for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm (BOWL) project this week, as the final turbine foundation (number 86 of 86) was installed by contractor Seaway Heavy Lifting. Travellers on the A9 and A99 on the east coast of Caithness will this week have seen the huge SHL vessel […]
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Weekly update, 2nd July
06th
Jul,
2018
Energy & Business Services: Further evidence that the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project is moving from its construction phase to its operations and maintenance (O&M) phase, with this week’s announcement that SeaCat Services has signed a further two-year charter contract with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to provide O&M support to its activities for the Beatrice project. […]
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Weekly update, 28th May
01st
Jun,
2018
Tourism: Interesting to note that Whitbread have this week confirmed an intention to submit planning application to build a Premier Inn in Thurso. The proposal is for ground near Thurso railway station, and the news has been given a cautious welcome, with some questions about effects on existing hotel businesses. More at https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/News/Premier-Inn-planned-for-derelict-Thurso-site-31052018.htm Enabling activities: […]
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Weekly Update, 12th March
16th
Mar,
2018
Energy & Business services: • Crown Estate Scotland has announced that following last September’s Contracts for Difference auction, which demonstrated a sharp fall in the cost of offshore wind electricity, it will now consult industry and government on further leasing rounds for offshore wind. Marine Scotland will lead a planning process to identify potential new […]
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Weekly update, 5th March
09th
Mar,
2018
Energy & Business services: An interesting update report in today’s John O’Groat Journal, which highlights that Fraser Well Management has been appointed to carry out work on the “Wick well” oil field off the Caithness coast at Lybster. The field is said to have a significant estimated reserve of oil. Operations are expected to commence […]
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Weekly update, 12th February
16th
Feb,
2018
Enabling activities: Delighted to see the news this week that Ashley Ann Ltd has announced its purchase of the former Caithness Glass premises in Wick, allowing it to further expand its capacity, creating new jobs. The move has been backed by an investment of £190,000 from CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) http://news.hie.co.uk/all-news/caithness-firm-set-to-expand/ Our […]
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Weekly update, 5th February
09th
Feb,
2018
Energy & business services: Staff from AGM Batteries were represented at a business breakfast event this week (see communications below), and it is great to see their recent success recognised in today’s John o’ Groat Journal. The company, which is based on Thurso’s Business Park, has been awarded a £1.48 million grant through the UK […]
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Weekly update, 1st January 2018
05th
Jan,
2018
Energy & business services: 2018 promises to be another year of exciting change in the energy sector, and to highlight how things have progressed in the north the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm team have produced a short booklet outlining the significant milestones that have been achieved during 2017 – you can access the booklet at https://www.beatricewind.com/single-post/2017/12/22/lookingbackat2017 […]
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Weekly update, 26th June
30th
Jun,
2017
Energy & business services: • I met Louise Smith of Caithness Renewables last week, and heard about her current role as an adviser to the “Resource Efficient Scotland” programme being run by Zero Waste Scotland on behalf of Scottish Government. The programme offers free advice and support to businesses, community groups and public organisations, helping […]
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Weekly update, 19th June
23rd
Jun,
2017
Tourism Food & Drink: • CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) this week published a baseline report on the economic impact of the North Coast 500 route which covers the whole of the north mainland. The report highlights the impact of the route’s global profile, and suggests that 200 new jobs could be created […]
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