Energy companies invest £134million in UK universities
A freedom of information request (FOI) by environmental group Greenpeace has shown the amount of investment by energy companies at some UK universities topping more than £20million.
Scotland
KPMG reveals corporate insolvencies down by almost a third
The number of Scottish firms going out of business has fallen to pre-recession levels.
Scotland was producing shale oil in 1850s
The debate on whether to pursue unconventional sources continues to rumble on, with SNP members narrowly rejecting a bid to toughen up the party’s stance on fracking amid calls for an outright ban.
SNP narrowly reject bid to toughen party stance on fracking
SNP members have narrowly rejected a bid to toughen up the party’s stance on fracking amid calls for an outright ban. The strength of opposition among members to the controversial shale gas extraction technique was revealed during a debate at the party’s conference in Aberdeen. Several speakers called for a motion from the party’s Leith branch, backing the Scottish Government’s moratorium on fracking, to be reconsidered and strengthened.
Ineos senior exec ‘not too concerned’ about fracking motion
A senior executive of fracking company Ineos has said he is “not too concerned” about a motion at the SNP conference that could result in a further clampdown on the controversial practice. Party members meeting in Aberdeen will today be asked to back a move that would place tighter restrictions on the party’s moratorium on shale gas extraction. The Scottish Government has already halted any fracking until 2017.
Billionaire Scottish adviser says downturn will rebound in two years
Oil prices will rise again by 2018 and reinvigorate economic activity in the North Sea, according to a billionaire Scottish Government adviser. Jim McColl, who sits on the Scottish Government’s Council of Economic Advisers, told Holyrood’s Economy Committee his own Clyde Blowers’ engineering investment firm is “holding out quite well” in the economically-depressed North Sea and he predicted the downturn will reverse in the next two years. Increased oil and gas production contributed to the 0.7% rise in the UK economy announced yesterday but this has yet to feed through to the Scottish onshore economy, leaving Scotland’s GDP lagging behind at just 0.1% growth.
Trump takes offshore windfarm battle to Supreme Court
United States Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is staging the latest round of a legal fight against an offshore wind farm project near a Scottish golf resort he owns. Scottish Government ministers approved proposals for an 11-turbine scheme off the Aberdeenshire coast in 2013. Billionaire businessman Mr Trump, president of The Trump Organisation, is against the plan and says the wind farm will spoil the view from his luxury golf links at the Menie Estate.
Cyber security attacks costing more than £1.7million, with oil and gas firms at risk
Almost 10% of companies in the UK are unaware they have been victim to cyber security attacks with incidents now costing an average of £1.7million, according to a new report. The annual survey, which involved more than 10,000 executive from more than 127 countries, showed an escalation in the frequency, severity and impact of cyber-attacks. Insiders - either current or former employers - top the list as a major source of incidents. But it was also found firms are becoming more adept at prevention and detection methods with innovation also on the rise.
Scotland leads the way in onshore wind, while England surges ahead in offshore
Scotland is taking the lead in Britain as it forges ahead with deploying onshore wind, according to new findings by Renewable UK. The report “Wind Energy in the UK” says although England is missing out on some of the economic benefits of onshore wind it is trailblazing ahead in the offshore wind sector. More than 60% of UK onshore wind projects are now installed and operational in Scotland generating an annual turnover of £211million. The overall turnover for the UK as a whole was £402million – with Scotland bringing in more than half of that revenue.
ROVOP wins £2.5million worth of new contracts
ROVOP has won more than £2.5million worth of new contract wins in the last month across the oil, gas and offshore wind markets. The Aberdeen company said the contracts had been netted from both its office in the city as well as its Houston base. The work scopes for the projects, which extend into the third quarter of next year, include inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) on several major North Sea operators' platforms.
Campaigners celebrate after windfarm rejection
Campaigners were celebrating last night after the controversial Brown Muir windfarm plans were rejected by councillors. But SNP members of the local authority were facing a backlash from protesters amid accusations they put their party before the people by voting to back the scheme. The 12-turbine project tabled by Vento Ludens for a site between Elgin and Rothes attracted more than 1,300 objections. By contrast, Moray Council received just 20 submissions supporting the proposed development. The local authority’s planning and regulatory services committee blocked the application yesterday on the casting vote of chairman Chris Tuke.
Wave Energy boosted by European grant
A wave power device tested at a marine energy centre in Orkney has been boosted by a £580,000 European grant. Edinburgh-based Aquamarine Power and the National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM) have together secured a EU Horizon 2020 grant to improve the performance of Aquamarine Power’s Oyster wave energy converter. The company has already built and operated two full-scale Oyster machines at the European Marine Energy Centre (Emec) in Orkney.
Carbon Trust outline Scotland energy potential
Scotland has the potential to lead the world in smart integrated energy systems, according to a new report. The Carbon Trust said it has outlined a vision for the country to harness its natural resources and technology innovation capabilities. It said developing a fully integrated energy system would help Scotland meet its carbon emissions targets, create jobs and secure an international leadership position in smart grid technology.
Campaigners welcome early end to wind subsidy
Campaigners have hailed the early closure of a subsidy scheme for onshore wind projects – while renewables experts last night warned it will deter investment. Jenny Hogan, director of policy at Scottish Renewables, warned firms were at risk of “shutting up shop altogether” and that 5,400 jobs had been put at risk by the withdrawal of the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme. Ending the subsidy – funded by levies to household bills – a year earlier than expected could cost up to £3billion of investment, she added. Ms Hogan also called for the Westminster Scottish Affairs Committee to consider holding an inquiry on the move, which she said would have a disproportionate impact on Scotland.
Opinion: Turbines and tourism can co-exist
After a survey conducted by anti-windfarm campaigners revealed the developments were driving visitors away from Scotland, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing explains why he believes turbines and tourism can co-exist. A successful tourism industry is absolutely vital for Scotland's economy. In 2014, there were 15.7 million overseas and domestic visits, up 10% on the previous year, with tourists spending nearly £5billion. As both energy and tourism minister I warmly welcome the great work being done in this area and we will work to ensure this success story continues.
Scottish university agrees MOU with Mexican Government
Robert Gordon University (RGU) and the Mexican Government said yesterday they had agreed to an oil and gas industry knowledge swap. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was announced at Offshore Europe in Aberdeen and follows Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto’s visit to the Granite City in March. Under the pact, the Mexican energy ministry and RGU will share information and seek opportunities to support the training of Mexicans for the oil and gas industry. RGU will be included on the list of preferred universities for Mexican scholarships.
Oil industry tax cuts advocated by Scots Lib Dem leader Rennie
Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has called for tax cuts for the oil industry and low and middle earners in an attempt to steer a centrist path through the left and right-leaning policies of his opponents.
New Scottish hydro scheme officially opens
A Scottish hydro power scheme which could produce enough power for over 800 homes each year has been officially opened.
Windfarm site proposal at Mormond gets knock back
Plans to build a windfarm at a north-east landmark overlooking the home village of former first minister Alex Salmond have been rejected by the Scottish Government. Muirden Energy wanted to erect a dozen 326ft turbines on top of Mormond Hill – Buchan’s highest peak. But the proposals left people in Strichen outraged and were blocked by Aberdeenshire councillors. Now their decision has been upheld by Scottish Government planning reporters after the developer appealed against the local authority’s decision.
Pipeline supplier John Bell equipment strengthens presence in Scotland
John Bell Equipment has expanded its presence in Scotland with the opening of new offices in Grangemouth. The pipeline equipment supplier said the facility will be used by four members of the sales team who originally worked in a subsidiary of the company.
Investors look behind the scenes at Camco’s energy premises
Investors have been given the opportunity to look behind the scenes at Camco’s Jabil Circuit premises in Scotland. The company said production is well underway at the site in Livingston with 12 customer units being manufactured in parallel this year. This includes on 1.68MWh unit, one 240kWh unit and 10kWh units relating to REDT, which is Camco’s energy storage business.
North Sea jobs taskforce to continue work
A jobs taskforce set up to help North Sea workers whose jobs are under threat is to be continued “for the foreseeable future”, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. The Scottish Government set up the Energy Jobs Taskforce in January after the sector was hit by the slump in oil prices. Initial plans were for the body, which brings together the industry, the public sector and trade unions, to be in place for six months. But Ms Sturgeon has announced it will continue to meet beyond its original six-month commitment. The First Minister said: “The Scottish Government is fully committed to the oil and gas industry; it has been a true success story and we are working to ensure it will continue to be so.
Sgurr Energy in jobs boost with China deal
Sgurr Energy has signed a deal worth several million pounds with Chinese lidar manufacturer Oasis. The agreement was announced as Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Beijing. The company said the deal will complement their package of wind farm SgurrOptimiser services.
Private power lights up Scotland
The number of companies, farms and communities creating their own electricity has risen more than 50% in a year. Figures show 775 organisations have bought generating equipment in a bid to insulate themselves from rising energy costs and to reduce carbon emissions. The report by independent energy firm SmartestEnergy shows the number was just 509 in 2013.
INEOS boss insists Government ‘not against fracking’
The Scottish Government has given assurances that it is “not against fracking”, according to the boss of a firm which runs Scotland’s largest petrochemical plant. Jim Ratcliffe, the chief executive and chairman of Ineos, which runs the Grangemouth plant, has suggested an onshore shale gas industry could potentially be set up in Scotland within a few years, despite an indefinite moratorium on granting planning consent for fracking - the method of gas extraction. The firm has ambitions to establish a large-scale shale gas industry, having acquired fracking exploration licences across 700 square miles of central Scotland.