Millions go towards green research

A £14 million investment has been announced by the Scottish Government for projects based at the North Highland College UHI, in Thurso.

The money will go towards developing research into marine energy and the environment, as well as creating a new Centre for Engineering Skills and a Centre for Energy and the Environment.

One such project is the £4 million Marine Renewable Energy and the Environment (MaREE) research programme, which will be led by the Environmental Research Institute-North Highland College and focus on aspects of green energy in Scotland, such as grid constraints, design expertise, environmental impacts and synergies between the oil and renewable industries.

This project will significantly strengthen Scotland's well established reputation as the European leader in clean, green energy

Alex Salmond

Scotland

First Minister

To support this project, £3 million will be spent on a brand new campus building. The Centre for Energy and the Environment will also be used as a teaching facility for post-graduate qualifications.

And the planned Engineering Skills Centre is designed to be a high-class training facilities with the aim of becoming a hub of vocational skills for science and engineering developments across the North.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "It is imperative that we continue to support the development of skills, research and infrastructure to ensure we exploit Scotland's full potential in renewable energy and help, building on our strengths, to support a strong economic recovery. This project will significantly strengthen Scotland's well established reputation as the European leader in clean, green energy.

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