The Scotsman’s Highlands and Islands Green Energy Conference is set to convene in Inverness, marking its fifth anniversary amidst a pivotal moment for Scotland’s renewable energy ambitions. The event will gather business leaders, policymakers, and energy sector figures to examine the region’s capacity to translate significant green energy investment into sustainable economic growth.
A key focus of this year’s conference will be the integration of the UK Government’s new GB Energy initiative into the region’s energy ecosystem. Guy Arnold, Deputy Director for Supply Chain (Strategy and Delivery) at GB Energy, is scheduled to deliver a keynote address outlining how the organisation intends to engage with the local energy supply chain and foster business growth.
The recently established Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) plays a crucial role in delivering UK energy security, protecting billpayers, supporting economic growth, and reducing emissions. GB Energy, based in Aberdeen, is positioned to help Scotland achieve its net-zero targets, which are set for 2045, five years ahead of the rest of the UK.
The Highlands and Islands are already central to Scotland’s renewable energy aspirations, benefiting from major offshore wind developments, substantial grid infrastructure investment, and upgrades to port facilities.
The region is also experiencing increasing activity across hydrogen production and broader energy supply chains. Notably, the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, selected in January 2023, aims to be a global hub for green investment, focusing on offshore wind, green hydrogen, and advanced manufacturing, with a forecast of attracting nearly £6.5 billion in investment.
Despite these significant opportunities, questions persist regarding whether local communities will fully realise the economic benefits. The conference agenda will address critical challenges, including skills shortages, housing constraints, and transport infrastructure, which continue to impede employers’ efforts to build long-term workforces in the region.
A dedicated skills panel will feature representatives from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), OPITO, and Deloitte, alongside HI-Skills, to discuss strategies for attracting and retaining talent amidst shifting policy landscapes. UHI offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with campuses across the Highlands and Islands, and has a strong focus on research and innovation.
OPITO, as the global skills body for the energy sector, provides certified training frameworks for offshore operational readiness and promotes STEM subjects and energy careers to the next generation. Deloitte offers consulting, audit, tax, and advisory services to the energy industry, including renewables, helping clients navigate energy transition and improve operational efficiency.
Community support will also be a central theme, with a keynote address from Yvonne Crook, Chair of Highland CIC, followed by a panel discussion sponsored by Fred. Olsen Renewables. This session will explore how developers can secure local backing while addressing concerns related to infrastructure impact, disruption, and the equitable distribution of community benefits.
Senior figures from organisations such as SSEN Transmission, DESNZ, Highland Council, the Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, and EMEC will assess progress over the past year and the wider changes since the conference’s inception five years ago.
SSEN Transmission is responsible for the high-voltage electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland, crucial for connecting and transporting renewable energy to the grid. EMEC (European Marine Energy Centre) is a leading facility for testing wave and tidal energy devices and is involved in projects exploring green hydrogen and floating offshore wind.
The conference will also delve into unlocking commercial opportunities, with speakers addressing project approvals, supply chain access, and the speed at which businesses must respond to funding opportunities.
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The event will conclude with a ‘young voices’ panel, offering insights into the future of Scotland’s energy economy from the next generation’s perspective.
Conference chair Nicky Marr commented: “The Highlands and Islands have moved from being seen as peripheral to becoming central to Scotland’s green energy future. The key question now is how that opportunity translates into jobs, investment and long-term prosperity for communities.”
The Conference will begin on 11 June at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness.
