Investment of £14 million for energy-related skills development and research projects in Scotland has been announced today (18th June). The projects will be based at the North Highland College UHI in Thurso where the college will be developing a research project into marine energy and the environment, a new Centre for Engineering Skills and a Centre for Energy and the Environment.

"The Scottish Government is happy to support this £14 million investment to develop new training and research facilities at the North Highland College UHI in Thurso", said Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. "It is imperative that we continue to support the development of skills, research and infrastructure to ensure we exploit Scotland's full potential in renewable energy and help, building on our strengths, to support a strong economic recovery. This project will significantly strengthen Scotland's well established reputation as the European leader in clean, green energy."

Funders include the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), UHI, the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands; the Scottish Funding Council (SFC); the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Highland Council.

The projects comprise:

The Marine Renewable Energy and the Environment research programme (MaREE): - In collaboration with the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) near Oban in Argyll, this £4m research project will be led by the Environmental Research Institute-North Highland College and focus on issues surrounding marine energy development in Scotland. Providing 17 FTE jobs including six PhDs, it will look into aspects such as grid constraints, design expertise, environmental impacts and synergies between the oil and renewable industries. Cost - £4m, funded by ERDF; HIE, SFC and UHI, the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands.

Centre for Energy and the Environment - Delivery of the MaREE project will require expansion of the ERI's current premises. Consequently a brand new campus building will be attached to North Highland College UHI. It will also be used as a teaching facility offering post-graduate qualifications such as MSc Environmental Management and Renewable Energy. In addition it will provide space for the ERI's long-term growth options, commercialisation and for spin-outs and small scale inward investment. Cost - £3m, funded by the ERDF, HIE, SFC and by UHI, the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands.

Engineering Skills Centre: - Subject to planning approval this new centre will work alongside the CfEE to deliver high class training facilities both for the immediate need for decommissioning skills at the Dounreay nuclear site, as well as those for future sustainable development, focusing on marine renewable energy in particular. It will become a hub of vocational skills for science and engineering developments across the North. Applying an innovative and entrepreneurial model, it will adopt a 50-week per annum 08.00 to 2100 timetable maximising availability for companies and trainees throughout the north of Scotland. Cost - £7m funded by NDA, SFC, ERDF and The Highland Council.