50 plus jobs supported by HIE in Caithness and Sutherland in 2023/24
As a result of HIE’s support, businesses in the area are set to see combined turnover rise by £22.4m, while international sales will grow by £661,000.
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Wave Energy Scotland (WES) is a lead partner in EuropeWave – a new five-year collaboration programme.
The initiative is match-funded by the European Commission via its Horizon 2020 programme. WES has teamed up with Ocean Energy Europe (OEE), the largest network of ocean energy professionals in the world and the Basque Energy Agency to manage and deliver the EuropeWave programme.
WES is a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and fully funded by the Scottish Government. EuropeWave will use a pre-commercial procurement process, similar to the one successfully managed by WES, to identify and fund the most promising wave energy devices from developers across Europe.
Concepts will be assessed according to strict technical and economic performance metrics, and the best performers will be demonstrated in Basque Country and Scottish open waters at the end of the programme.
The Basque Country and Scotland have long histories of industrial strength and today are centres of innovation. Both are committed to full decarbonisation and have developed long-term strategies to transition their energy systems.
EuropeWave will build on these strengths to ensure that Scotland and the Basque Country remain leading players in Europe’s emerging ocean energy sector and the wider energy transition.
Scottish Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse, and Basque Minister for Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment, Arantxa Tapia announced the initiative on the last day of OEE2020.
Mr Wheelhouse said: “EuropeWave is a great example of how Scotland can continue to collaborate with European partners, like our friends in the Basque Country who have very similar aims and objectives as ourselves. We can work together to bring forward what can hopefully be a very important technology for the global community.”
Minister Tapia said: “This project is an ideal platform for collaboration between two regions in Europe to promote a new sector that contributes to the energy transitions, creating a new economy and employment for our citizens. It is a clear example of how things should be done.”
Tim Hurst, Managing Director, Wave Energy Scotland said: “EuropeWave gives us an exciting opportunity to bring our experience of running a successful pre-commercial procurement programme in Scotland to a collaborative European wave energy project. We are looking forward to working with our colleagues at Ocean Energy Europe and in the Basque Country, and hope to see some innovative technologies brought to life through the programme.”
As a result of HIE’s support, businesses in the area are set to see combined turnover rise by £22.4m, while international sales will grow by £661,000.
There was support for businesses and social enterprises to lower emissions and improve efficiencies within their operations.
The project is expected to continue to attract innovative marine businesses, creating new well-paid job opportunities, particularly for young people, and encouraging entrepreneurship.
As a result of HIE support, businesses in the area will see total turnover rise by £14.5m and international sales by £1.9m.
Joanna Peteranna took up the role on 1 July.
A new report published today (Tuesday 16 July) outlines significant economic opportunities associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Highlands and Islands.
Figures show HIE approved £1.5m investment across 18 Shetland projects in 2023-24
Figures compiled by HIE show that businesses and communities supported by the agency in 2023/24 are set to create or retain more than 1,200 jobs across the region.
Six talented young people working at HIE over the past two years have secured permanent positions, bringing fresh perspectives and valuable skills to HIE’s economic and community development efforts.
Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, has approved three-year terms as non-executive directors for Allan Clow and Melanie Collett.
Enterprise agencies welcome Sumitomo milestone as ground is broken on £350m factory project
Event in Portree on Saturday 27 April to encourage more people into the profession