HIE reports on investment across Shetland

HIE provided a mixture of financial and non-financial support through 168 interventions during the year in Shetland. This included investing a total of £1.72m in 34 projects across Shetland.

The agency attracted additional public investment to Shetland including £1.175 to support preparatory works at Dales Voe, Lerwick harbour, through a successful bid to the Scottish Government’s Offshore Wind Investment Programme.

Innovation remained a key focus, with support for 31 organisations leading to 14 new products, processes and services, including £104,000 to Ocean Kinetics to develop a digital system and a lower-emission prototype work boat.

HIE also helped nine Shetland organisations to increase productivity, including £13,162 towards a project by QA Fish in Scalloway to install equipment and help meet growing market demand, and four businesses and organisations were supported to recruit graduates into posts.

Almost £2.8m was invested in projects that deliver environmental benefits and support the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy. More than £176,000 was awarded to Lerwick-based GTS Central to undertake energy efficient upgrades including solar PV combined with battery storage and two-way vehicle charging system. 

AJ Pottinger was awarded £49,594 to create a new heat pump storage and demonstration facility in Lerwick. 
 
Forty-four community projects received support, with £35,000 awarded to Shetland Arts Development Agency for a major refurbishment to improve accessibility and energy efficiency for Bonhoga Gallery at the former mill.  
 
Stakkadale Ltd in Bigton received £54,036 to support a refurbishment and modernisation of a building that was empty for ten years, roastery equipment and a space for workshops.  
 
Three organisations in Nesting, Scalloway and Sandness received financial support through the Scottish Government's Strengthening Communities programme, delivered by HIE, to employ staff within their communities.

HIE area manager for the Shetland and Orkney area teams, Katrina Wiseman, said:  
 
“We’re very pleased with what we achieved in Shetland last year. The additional funding on top of HIE’s core budget helps make a real difference, particularly in relation to bigger projects like what we are seeing at Dales Voe. At the same time, we were able to maintain support for many smaller businesses, entrepreneurs and community organisations.  
 
“We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to stimulate further economic growth by capitalising on Shetland’s many strengths.”

HIE’s provisional year-end figures are subject to review by Audit Scotland and will be published in the agency’s annual report and accounts later this year.