HIE network welcomes manufacturing jobs boost for Western Isles
| HIE network welcomes manufacturing jobs boost for Western Isles | |
| 16 June 2005 The Highlands and Islands Enterprise network (HIE) has welcomed today's confirmation that Lewis renewable energy manufacturer Camcal has been chosen by Ocean Power Delivery (OPD) to fabricate equipment for the world's first commercial wave farm. Donnie Macaulay, chief executive of Western Isles Enterprise (WIE), said the announcement would re-introduce skilled manufacturing jobs at Arnish Point. The HIE network has invested more than £9 million over the last two years to create a business park on the site of the former oil fabrication yard and Camcal is the first tenant since completion of the works. "This is a significant milestone for both Camcal and Arnish and we are, of course, delighted that OPD selected the Western Isles for this contract," said Mr Macaulay. "We welcome the fact that skilled jobs will be created very soon. What's more significant, however, is the fact that this order will introduce a whole new industry to the Highlands and Islands. "Wave energy device manufacturing is a natural follow-on to the establishment of the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, which is being developed with HIE input and where OPD's Pelamis device was tested. It also complements wind energy manufacturing, holding out the prospect of a broadly-based renewables industry becoming established in Scotland in the next few years. | |