The Highlands and Islands of Scotland will once again have the largest regional presence at the All Energy exhibition and conference in Aberdeen this week (Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th May).
Seventy six companies are to come together under the banner of HI-Energy to showcase the region’s world-leading renewable energy expertise and supply chain capabilities. The HI-energy zone is made up of exhibitors from across the Highlands and Islands and includes regional pavilions from Orkney, Shetland, Caithness and Argyll.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) manages the over-arching HI-Energy pavilion on behalf of the region’s energy industry to ensure the area’s extensive renewable energy offerings are promoted, including its leading role in offshore renewables, experienced supply chain and world-class facilities.
The last three years have seen a record number of Highlands and Islands companies taking part, but with an increase of almost 60% since 2009, HIE says this is an indication of the importance of the industry to the Highlands and Islands and Scotland as a whole.
HIE’s Director of Energy and Low Carbon , Calum Davidson said:
“All Energy is one of the most important events of the year for us and our companies. Every year we have a record number of businesses that join us and this year is no exception. The Highlands and Islands is known to be leading the world in the development of wave and tidal energy, and the skills and experience of our companies are sought after around the world.
“The announcement of the five Enterprise Area sites and Nigg Energy Park receiving Enterprise Zone status, the establishment of the Nigg Skills Academy, EMEC reaching full capacity at its wave and tidal test sites, significant progress in offshore wind projects on our east and west coasts, and major investment in infrastructure across the region all make this a particularly exciting year. We have a huge number of companies who are at the forefront of energy research, development and supply chain expertise and this is recognised internationally.”
As part of the two-day exhibition, HIE is holding a networking event at the end of the first day, which will give exhibitors the opportunity to invite potential and existing clients to meet the wider Highlands and Islands supply chain.
The Highlands and Islands’ leading role in the renewables sector will be woven throughout the two-day conference, and senior representatives from HIE will deliver key notes. Mr Davidson will update the conference on the region’s marine energy progress in the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters, and will also contribute to wider discussions on the role of marine energy parks throughout the UK. Also presenting at the conference is HIE’s Chief Executive Alex Paterson on the offshore wind supply chain and HIE Board member Steve Thomson on ‘energy islands’.
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Offshore WIND staff, May 21, 2012; Image: HI-energy