Orkney Research and Innovation Campus
The Orkney Research & Innovation Campus (ORIC) is a multi-million-pound project creating an improved home for Orkney’s wide range of clean energy and low-carbon expertise. ORIC LLP is a joint venture between Orkney Islands Council (OIC) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) which operates the 3.75 acre campus site. The first round of development, including £1.48m from the European Regional Development Fund Scotland Programme, of the £6.9m project was completed in late 2020.
HIE and OIC have approved a further funding package totalling £2.8m (September 2022) for the second round of development. The expansion will make a substantial contribution to ORIC’s long term vision.
The new development aims to enhance existing facilities and create new spaces to enable more academic and commercial activity, collaboration, and business incubation. New co-working spaces will be created to support small and growing businesses and a number of improvements will be made across the campus with the aim of achieving net zero operations.
The project forms part of wider investment through the Islands Growth Deal, which is set to be supported with investment of up to £8m from the UK Government.
ORIC aims to strengthen Orkney’s global lead in the field of renewables research and innovation, providing purpose-built business and educational facilities within Stromness, where much of the sector’s activity is currently focused.
The campus aims to foster collaboration between various organisations, companies and agencies, with the common aim of furthering crucial Orkney-based research and development work.
This significant investment will support the growth of existing businesses and the creation of new ones. Crucially, it will provide more opportunities to attract and retain young people looking to live, work and study in Orkney.
To find out more about the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus, visit the project website.