Oil price downturn "should not affect Lerwick Harbour activity over next three years"

The Chief Executive of Lerwick Port Authority, Sandra Laurenson, believes that oil-related activity at the harbour will remain largely unaffected by the oil price downturn over the next three years. She has expressed some concern, however, about oil companies' future plans for developing more marginal fields.

Full story from The Shetland Times here: http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2014/12/24/oil-price-slump-should-not-affect-harbour-activity-says-port-chief?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Expansion underway for Lerwick's Shetland Composites after contract win announcement

Shetland Composites, based in Lerwick, is undertaking an expansion in order to enhance production and manufacturing facilities.

Fred Gibson

The company, led by Owner/Director Fred Gibson, has been awarded £69,774 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the extension to its current workshop premises on the Staney Hill Industrial Park in Lerwick.

The main areas in which Shetland Composites operates are Glass Reinforced Plastics (GRP) products such as storage containers, navigation lights, equipment for the aquaculture industry and now full size tidal machine blades. The company also specialises in bespoke requests and pioneering prototype production involving GRP.

The business has grown significantly since its move from Gremista in 2012, but there is still scope to expand on the current site. The new extension will create a temperature controlled area, dedicated ‘clean’ space for working with electronics and new office and reception area. The new extension will also increase capacity at the company, allowing it to take on more work and an additional two employees.

Fred Gibson from Shetland Composites, said: “This is a big step for us as up until now most of our work in the marine renewable sector over many years has been in the development of prototype devices. Now finally these projects are scaling up and becoming commercial viable.”

Katrina Wiseman from Highlands and Islands Enterprise said “Shetland Composites has the experience and ambition to further develop and grow out with Shetland, particularly in the energy and aquaculture markets. We are delighted to support Shetland Composites with their expansion which will further strengthen their national and international capabilities, contributing to the growth of the marine energy sector in Shetland.”

Shetland Composites has collaborated with UK and international academic institutions including the Universities of Oxford and Strathclyde. The company has a working relationship with Edinburgh Designs Ltd, a world leader in the design and production of wave tanks for research purposes, at present Fred and his team are building wave makers for projects in USA, Croatia and Ireland.

It was recently announced by the Scottish Government that Shetland Composites secured a six month contract from Edinburgh-based Nova Innovation who is developing five 100kW tidal turbines known as the Shetland Tidal Array.

The turbines, which sit more than 100ft below the waves, will be developed in two phases with commissioning of the first three devices by the end of 2015. Shetland Composites will manufacture the blades for the tidal turbines.

Scottish Enterprise and the Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF) are supporting Nova Innovation with £1.9 million of grant and loan funding for the tidal array project.

Shetland Composites awarded major tidal power contract

One of Shetland's most innovative companies, Shetland Composites, has won the contract to manufacture blades for a tidal array being made by Nova Innovation. The Shetland Tidal Array will be sited in Bluemull Sound between the islands of Yell and Unst and will provide sufficient power for 300 homes.

Full story from ClickGreen here:  http://www.clickgreen.org.uk/news/national-news/125304-developers-of-world%5Cs-first-tidal-array-award-contract-to-shetland-company.html

Shetland 'extremely desirable' for BP employees - SVT manager

BP's  Area Operations Manager at the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal in Shetland, Steve Cowie, says the isles are proving a very desirable posting for prospective employees. The attractions of the community have been important in attracting new skilled workers from all over the world to the isles, as BP carry out major refurbishment works at SVT and prepare for the construction of a new gas sweetening plant on site.

A new rotational working system has been introduced, offering a two weeks on, three weeks off system similar to that employed on offshore rigs and platforms.

Full details are in an article in the magazine Rigzone here: http://www.rigzone.com/news/oil_gas/a/133853/Onshore_Shetland_BPs_Sullom_Voe_Recruitment_Drive/?all=HG2

An interview with Steve will be available next year as part of a video project currently being carried out by Promote Shetland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Shetland Gas Plant - exclusive pictures

Promote Shetland is in the process of making a series of films about the energy industry in Shetland for Shetland Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Last week saw the team meeting up with Total's Shetland Gas Plant manager Dave Wink and touring the site.

Looking down over the gas plant to Sullom Voe beyond.

Foundations for a fence!

Probably the strongest fence in the UK...

Road to riches. Beneath this track is the Laggan-Tormore gas pipeline.

Dave Wink, Shetland Gas Plant Manager, Total.

Japanese consul general checks out Shetland renewables

The Japanese consul general for Scotland and northern England, Hajime Kitaoka, was in Shetland recently to learn about Viking Energy and other wind and tidal power projects on behalf of his government.

Japan is looking to develop wind and marine renewables on a large scale to reduce its reliance on imported fuels and nuclear power, which fell out of favour after the Fukushima power station disaster in 2011.

Mr Kitaoka toured Shetland Aerogenerators’ Burradale Wind Farm and the sites of the proposed Viking Wind Farm before visiting Cullivoe to hear about North Yell Development Council’s wind farm and tidal energy projects, the wind farm proposed by Energy Isles Limited in Unst and Yell and Aquatera’s proposed tidal power bridge across Bluemull Sound. Earlier he called along SIC vice-convener Cecil Smith at the Town Hall.

From left: Angus Ward of Shetland Aerogenerators talks turbines with Mr Kitaoka and Aaron Priest of Viking Energy.

Contract awarded to Tulloch for £16.5 million Lerwick deepwater jetty

Lerwick Port Authority has awarded a construction contract for the latest expansion of the harbour’s facilities in a project costing a total of £16.5 million and which will benefit the fishing and oil sectors.

The new jetty at Holmsgarth North will provide deeper berthing and more working area for the fishing fleet, while the outer arm of the L-shaped jetty will create a dock sheltering a planned new white fish market. The outer arm will also be suitable for berthing offshore industry vessels.

Local company, Tulloch Developments Ltd, has been appointed main contractor. Site set-up will start before Christmas and the main works in the new year, with completion in autumn, 2016. Construction is expected to employ up to 50, helping to secure employment.

The design of the jetty is by civil engineers Arch Henderson LLP and they will also project manager the construction.  The jetty will extend to 800 metres, with ultimately 10 metres of water alongside.

Port Authority Chief Executive Sandra Laurenson, said: “The jetty will be a significant addition to our resources and another example of our versatile facilities. While principally benefiting the fishing industry, it will also serve the offshore sector, underlining our commitment to both.

“The latest step towards a new white fish market, Holmsgarth North will reinforce both Lerwick’s future as a leading UK fishing port and the sector’s key contribution to the Shetland economy.”

The development is being supported by funding from Bank of Scotland. David Nicolson, SME Banking Relationship Manager commented: “These improvements to Lerwick Harbour will provide a significant boost to the Shetland economy and Bank of Scotland is delighted to be investing in such an important project.

“In addition to the 50 jobs that will be created through the construction work, the investment will also be a major boost to the local fishing industry as well as the oil and gas supply chain on the island, supporting future jobs and economic growth.”

During construction of Holmsgarth North, the fishing industry will use Mair’s Quay as the berthing area for net repair and working on gear. The quay, which has brought a range of benefits to the fleet, was completed last year and will be the site for the new market, due to begin construction in early 2016.