New energy, enterprise and tourism minister and Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing officially launched ENERGY NORTH, the region’s leading organisation for energy and engineering business, in Invergordon on Friday (June 3) as one of his first public events in the new Scottish Government.
The event was held at the Kincraig Castle Hotel and was attended by ENERGY NORTH members, the board, representatives from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Flybe and other invited guests
Mr Ewing said: “ENERGY NORTH will play a key role in articulating the vast opportunities that exist in the North. With an impressive track record in oil and gas industry and around £6 billion of investment set to flow from developing marine renewables in the Pentland Firth alone, ENERGY NORTH can showcase and lobby for the wide range of energy and engineering talents interests here. I wish ENERGY NORTH all the best.”
ENERGY NORTH, formerly North Scotland Industries Group (NSIG) will be the single voice for all energy related issues across the Highlands, Islands and North East, pulling supply chain, developers, operators and utility companies together to benefit all parts of current and emerging energy markets and helping all parts of the industry in the area to interact, building an understanding of the requirements of each.
The 130-plus member organisation will also be more vocal in political and media circles, ensuring that developments and interests are highlighted, and that the North of Scotland and Islands will compete with other areas of the UK.
The Invergordon event also marked the launch of Ignite – ENERGY NORTH’s area-specific energy information database for the exclusive use of members. Ignite is a single source for all relevant information on oil and gas activities on the west coast of Scotland and will provide relevant renewable energy information in the area for wave, tidal, offshore and onshore wind, hydro and biomass interests.
ENERGY NORTH chief executive Ian Couper said: “The official launch of our new organisation and the Ignite data base marks an important step forward for energy and engineering businesses in our area.
“Our organisation, has traditionally focused on the renewable and oil and gas sectors, but the new name and outlook brings a wider focus which means we will be expanding into the hydro and biomass industries and will work more closely with developers on major projects.
“Ignite, which has taken several months to compile, will give our members a competitive advantage. It will be an extremely valuable tool in helping them keep abreast of projects in our area, identifying the right contacts and locating the most appropriate services to help them win business.”
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Source: energynorth, June 06, 2011; Image: fergusewing