Plans lodged for marine energy facilities

Plans for two new industrial buildings within Orkney’s Enterprise Areas have been unveiled by economic development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Planning applications for the speculative large scale buildings, designed to act as engineering hubs to support the future development of the marine energy industry, have been formally lodged with Orkney Islands Council.

The two buildings, one each at Hatston and Lyness, would help meet the longer term device deployment and maintenance needs of projects aimed at the commercial scale exploitation of marine renewable energy resources within the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters, according to HIE. Nearer term however, the facilities could also be important in supporting the world-leading research activity being undertaken in Orkney at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

Graeme Harrison, HIE’s area manager for Orkney, said: “We are at a very early stage in the plans for these two units but there are strong indications that this type and scale of facility will be required in the future to support the industry as it moves to the commercial deployment phase. There is currently no commitment or funding allocated to construct the units but we think that it is appropriate and sensible to progress this project to ensure we are ready and can respond quickly when developers require the additional facilities.”