Associate Feature: Offshore renewable energy leading the charge to net zero

With over 80% of the Scottish coastline and an abundance of exceptional wind, wave and tidal resources around its region, it’s no surprise that Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has a clear focus on offshore renewable energy as a driver for economic growth.

Securing opportunities from renewable energy has long been a priority for HIE, which helped establish the world’s first grid-connected wave and tidal test centre, the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), in Orkney a little over 20 years ago.

In 2014, with funding from the Scottish Government, HIE also set up Wave Energy Scotland (WES), now responsible for the largest research and development programme ever seen in the sector.

And in 2020, in partnership with Orkney Islands Council, it founded the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus, strengthening Scotland’s global lead in renewables research. 

Throughout all these years, HIE has maintained its commitment to supporting local businesses and communities throughout the region, investing in a broad range of initiatives including manufacturing innovation, supply chain growth and major infrastructure improvements in ports and harbours. 

This investment is capitalising on the region’s enviable natural resources by developing key strengths such as deepwater ports, laydown areas, a highly experienced supply chain and research into new technologies such as green hydrogen. 

The recent award of Green Freeport status to the Inverness and Cromarty Firth area is the latest, highly significant event in an ongoing story of progress.

HIE’s new five-year strategy, published in August, states boldly that new, large-scale offshore developments stemming from the ScotWind and INTOG initiatives present the Highlands and Islands with a set of economic opportunities that only appear once in a generation.

Already an international exemplar in renewable energy, the region is set fair to punch above its weight and contribute significantly to the Scottish Government’s climate change ambitions. 

This article is sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise

www.hie.co.uk/