Contract awarded for Orkney research and innovation campus

A £5.39m construction contract has been awarded for the development of a new research and innovation campus in Stromness.

The campus is a joint venture by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Orkney Islands Council who have appointed Kirkwall based R Clouston Limited as the main contractor.

Work will include refurbishing, updating and extending the Old Academy and former Stromness primary school buildings as well as improving roads, paths and landscaping.

The 3.75-acre campus will support the growth of existing research and innovation activity and the expansion of companies in Orkney’s world-leading marine renewables, energy and low carbon sector. It will also attract additional research activities to Orkney, both from the commercial and academic worlds.

HIE is investing £4.65m in the campus project, including £1.48m of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) money. Orkney Islands Council is investing £2.0m, including £0.5m of Scottish Government Regeneration Funding, in addition to transferring ownership of the Old Academy and former Stromness primary school to the partnership.

The Old Academy is already home to the European Marine Energy Centre, Heriot Watt University’s International Centre for Island Technology, environmental consultants Aquatera and number of other businesses.

The aim is to attract more academic institutions and businesses with an interest in carrying out research projects in an island setting. This could include research linked to Orkney’s energy resources, transport needs, culture and economy.