Energy

Energy

The Highlands and Islands is at the forefront of Europe's energy industry.

Port Of Nigg 5(Credit Global Energy Group) 1920 800

OUR ENERGY INDUSTRY

The region's strong legacy in the oil and gas industry, and abundance of renewable energy resources, mean it is ideally placed to be at the forefront of the energy industry.

Here you can find out about ground-breaking work many local companies are involved in, from research and development to full-scale test facilities. It's also where you'll find the latest news and analysis from the energy sector plus full coverage of the markets we work in.

Employment in the energy sector stood at 69,000 in 2020, accounting for 2.7% of employment in Scotland and 20.8% of employment in energy across Great Britain. In 2019, total turnover in the sector was £39bn and totalled £19bn.

For the Highlands and Islands, the transition to net zero represents a very significant economic, social and industrial opportunity. Our oil and gas industry will continue to play a key role in supplying energy, but will also provide the skills and expertise to support our transition to a highly productive, net zero future. Low carbon and renewable energy are both fast-growing areas of opportunity and significant contributors to Scotland’s economy. A sustainable and successful energy sector in the Highlands and Islands will underpin wider regional economic growth.

Energy stats

1,000

of jobs supported in this sector

45.7

turnover for Scotland in 2015

6777

of electricity produced by Beatrice Offshore Windfarm

40

of oil and gas activity in the Highlands and Islands

Energy Web 3

PIONEERING THE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY REVOLUTION

Overall, the region has become a world leader in the development and production of renewable energy, particularly offshore.

It has already amassed a strong, knowledgeable supply chain of complementary companies that can conceive, devise, test, manufacture, install, operate, distribute and support renewable energy technology - from research to full-scale commercial implementation. Here are just some of the many pioneering initiatives in this exciting sector:

  • The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) is based in Orkney. Developers from all over the world are able to test prototype wave and tidal devices in ideal conditions.
  • High above the southwestern tip of Loch Ness, the UK’s largest hydro scheme for 30 years is in place at Glendoe.
  • On 13 January 2023, Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport was selected by the Scottish and UK Governments to become one of Scotland’s first Green Freeports.
  • SIMEC Atlantis' MeyGen project is the world's largest tidal stream array project and is located in the Pentland Firth. The company has plans to grow the project significantly in the coming years. 
  • The region is home to the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm - A £2.6bn project comprising 84 turbines and producing 588MW of electricity - enough to power around 450,000 homes. The first power was delivered in 2018 and the project is now fully operational.
  • Several hundred businesses across the Highlands and Islands are active in the energy industry, including electrical installers, crane hire, haulage, civil engineering, environmental consultants and many more. These projects and companies contribute to a healthy, dynamic supply chain, which in turn lends itself to economic growth and employment across the region.
  • ScotWind is the first round of offshore wind leasing in Scottish waters for a decade. In January 2022, it resulted in 20 projects securing seabed option agreements with an expected capacity of just under 25GW.

Energy in the Highlands and Islands

Explore the energy industry in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Oil and Gas

Our region boasts four decades of oil and gas activity

Marine Energy

Making an impact across the Highlands and Islands

Investment in energy

More and more businesses in the energy sector are looking to invest in our region

Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport

Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport - Building a world-beating floating offshore wind manufacturing sector with sites in the Cromarty Firth, Invergordon, Nigg, and Inverness.

Energy Investment Fund

The Energy Investment Fund (‘EIF’) is a Scottish Government Fund managed by the Scottish Investment Bank. It builds on the success of the Renewable Energy Investment Fund, providing commercial investment for renewable and low carbon energy solutions.

Apply for the fund

HIE SUPPORT

We can help you to find opportunities, and sources of funding, in order to allow your business to grow and develop.

Contact us

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