Caithness ‘should grab opportunities’ from renewables
CAITHNESS should “grab with open arms” the opportunities renewable energy offers the county as it tries to replace the jobs being lost at Dounreay.
That was said by Kevin Coyne, the national officer for the Unite union, during a visit to the far north this week with Shadow Energy Minister Tom Greatrex.
Mr Coyne, who last visited Caithness two years ago, said the area is well placed to capitalise on the offshore renewable energy opportunities.
He admitted progress had not been as quick as he anticipated in 2011, but stressed he was “really impressed” by the planning going on and the opportunities which are being created.
“It is moving on,” he stated.
Mr Coyne and Mr Greatrex visited Dounreay and were taken to the harbours at Scrabster and Wick during their trip to Caithness on Monday. They arrived in the county on Sunday night and left again on Monday evening.
Mr Coyne described the offshore renewable energy industry as “vibrant” and said the area is well placed to benefit as it is in a good position to service renewable energy projects such as Beatrice Offshore Wind Ltd. Scrabster can also service the industry and oil and gas developments west of Shetland.
“You should grab these opportunities with open arms,” he stated.
Although Caithness is losing jobs as a result of the decommissioning at Dounreay, the area has “a skilled and motivated workforce” which can adapt to the challenges ahead, said Mr Coyne.
Mr Greatrex was making his first visit to the far north since his appointment as Labour’s shadow energy minister. He was keen to come to the area to get an understanding of what is happening at Dounreay and the opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
Scrabster and Wick harbours and Caithness as a whole could benefit from the industry, said Mr Greatrex. He said Scrabster and Wick harbours are in a good position to service the renewable and oil and gas sectors.
“What I have found is a real sense of realism and resilience about what needs to be done to maximise these opportunities,” he said.
Mr Greatrex acknowledged there was in the past “a significant reliance” on Dounreay as an employer. Although it will continue to have a role to play in the economy for a number of years, it is important to replace the jobs being lost. The renewable and oil and gas sectors could have a key role in achieving that aim, he said.
Mr Greatrex, the Labour MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, said the UK Government has a role to play in the development of energy policy and in marine energy in particular. The shadow energy minister believes the UK will need a balanced mix of nuclear, oil and gas and renewables in the future.
Their visit was organised by local trade union officials Davy Alexander and John Deighan, who accompanied them on their trip around the county.
Mr Alexander, chairman of the joint trade union group at Dounreay, was pleased with the visit.
“They were keen to come and see what is going on not only at Dounreay but in the wider community. Everything went well,” he said.
“There has been a bit of frustration about the lack of progress but we are beginning to see things happening here now. Companies are looking at the area and there are plans for the future development of Scrabster and Wick harbours. Things are more positive and seem to be going in the right direction.”
John Deighan, vice-chair of the joint trade union group at Dounreay, was also pleased a senior Unite official and a member of the shadow Government had come to Caithness.
“It is important they see what is happening here and know Caithness is open for business. They heard the views of the workforce at Dounreay and saw the plans for Scrabster and Wick harbours. I think it was a good visit,” he said.