THE ScotWind partnership has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Highlands and Islands.
The group involves renewable energy developer SSE Renewables, Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation, and Danis fund management company Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
The collaboration with the university will deliver targeted education, research and employability initiatives. The partners said that they will help to create the skills required to develop, construct and operate future offshore wind farms in Scotland.
This work would include the promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in primary and secondary schools as well as the development of the university’s curriculum to support the changing needs of the industry and the provision of academic capability to support industry research.
SSE Renewables director of capital projects, Paul Cooley, said,“We are delighted that our ScotWind partnership has signed this MOU with the University of the Highlands and Islands which demonstrates our firm commitment to skills development.
“SSE has already supported the work of the university for many years and this new partnership will allow us to inspire school pupils to choose a STEM career within the offshore wind industry and provide the right curriculum to meet the emerging needs of the sector including areas such as floating wind and green hydrogen roll-out. These skills will be vital for the delivery of ScotWind projects to help meet our net zero obligations.”
The University of the Highlands and Islands’ principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Todd Walker, added, “Our mission is to have a transformational impact on the prospects of our region, its economy, its people and its communities. The latest Scotwind offshore leasing round presents a significant opportunity to help realise Scotland’s ambitions towards net zero targets. It also offers huge potential for the communities in which our University is rooted, with a requirement for skills, infrastructure and facilities to support the production of green energy.”
