The skills gap in the renewable energy sector was a recurring topic when more than 200 delegates met at the second annual Scottish Highland Renewable Energy Conference (SHREC) in Inverness on 7 April, organised by leading commercial law firm, Harper Macleod.
During the event, it was suggested that local authorities and agencies of government will have a large part to play in helping solve the potential problem of lack of supply chain contributors and manufacturers but, as a nation, we have the opportunity to take advantage of potential manufacturing bases such as the Nigg and Kishorn fabrication yards. Arnish fabrication facilities, currently tenanted by BiFab, were mentioned as a good example of how Scotland can develop its manufacturing capacity. Council leaders at the event also stressed the need for more hard information and guidance in order to make best use of resources.
Professor Lorne Crerar, chairman of Harper Macleod LLP, said: “Although many topics were covered during the event, the issue of the skills gap was a recurring theme as everyone wants to ensure we have the capacity to meet the demand for energy developments and the targets set by Government. It was clear from the contributors at the conference that all grasp the need to ensure the energy supply chain is firmly based in Scotland which is a key theme of Government and its agencies”. Crerar was however confident of Scotland’s ability to rise to the challenges and expects the supply chain “to have made dramatic advancements” by the time next year’s event comes around.
“We are getting closer to the Hunterston nuclear plant and Cockenzie and Longannet coal power stations reaching the end of their intended lifespans in 2015. Unless these periods are extended, then renewables have to push on with the considerable progress made already to cover this shortage;” added Harper Macleod’s head of Energy & Natural Resources Sector Group and legal advisor to the Scottish Renewables Forum, David Bone. “The obvious area for large-scale, relatively untapped development is in offshore wind and wave and tidal but the costs need to come down. That is where developing our own manufacturing bases will help considerably. I am confident that, with appropriate investment, manufacturing bases will be developed and supply chain infrastructure can come forward.”
Government backing
The Scottish government is clearly reading off the same hymn sheet as Harper Macleod, announcing recently an ambitious project that it hopes will establish Scotland as a world leader in the research, development and design of next generation renewable energy technology.
Spearheaded by economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise, an International Technology Renewable Energy Zone (ITREZ), will be established in Glasgow City Centre with the University of Strathclyde’s striking new £89 million Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) at its heart.
The vacant 2.02 hectare Scottish Enterprise owned City Science site, which lies between Glasgow’s Merchant City and the University of Strathclyde, will be transformed into a centre of excellence for academic research, commercialisation and industry collaboration.
The ITREZ initiative, which spans further than the confines of the existing City Science site, is expected to create 700 new jobs and £100m of GVA boost to the Scottish economy through further industry academia collaboration and inward investment.
“Strathclyde’s Technology Innovation Centre will be the cornerstone of Scotland’s International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone. Our vision for ITREZ is to provide a breeding ground for ambitious companies to harness cutting-edge research, access the best people and develop the products which will shape the renewable energy industry of tomorrow,” explained Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive, Lena Wilson.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said: “The University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre is a transformational project for Glasgow, building on Scotland’s great tradition of innovating new technologies and developments in fields including energy and engineering while creating and supporting hundreds of jobs. Through this collaboration, the aim is to double the scale of research programme investment in Scotland in areas key to economic growth by up to £150 million in five years.
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