The highlands stand on the brink of a period of extraordinary opportunity, and West Highland Chamber members are right at the heart of it. The region is seeing a surge of ambitious developments that have the potential to transform local economies and strengthen communities.
A recent report commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) highlights over 250 major projects already in motion across the wider Highland area. This represents a potential investment of up to £100 billion and creation of a staggering 34,000 jobs by 2040.
Many of the coming opportunities are connected to the UK’s evolving energy market. As the UK moves toward a cleaner energy future, the west highlands are at the heart of this transformation.
Expanding opportunities
One of the most significant examples of the new projects is the expansion of Kishorn Port in Wester Ross. Already one of Europe’s largest dry docks, the port’s redevelopment is helping unlock large-scale opportunity and long-term benefits for the west highlands.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes recently confirmed that up to £24 million of public funding from HIE will support a £42.2 million expansion of Kishorn Port. The project, led by Kishorn Port Limited (KPL), will help position the west highlands as a key player in the fast-growing offshore wind industry.
This first phase will extend Kishorn’s large dry dock and reclaim more land, making it possible to build the giant floating bases needed to support offshore wind turbines at sea. With its on-site quarry and deep-water access, Kishorn is one of a very few places in the UK well suited to carry out this work — able to take projects all the way from construction to final assembly and launch.
KPL says interest in the upgraded facilities is already strong, with potential projects ranging from offshore wind and marine logistics to decommissioning. Alasdair Ferguson, CEO of Kishorn Port Limited, is excited about the port’s future:
“This investment will bring great opportunities to the communities of Wester Ross and the west highlands. The jobs and partnerships it will create have the power to strengthen the local economy and help our region grow as a place to live, work and build a future.”
Harnessing hydro power
Fellow West Highland Chamber members SSE Renewables and SSEN Transmission are also developing large-scale infrastructure projects in the west highlands to support renewable energy development and energy security.
One of the most ambitious proposals is SSER’s Coire Glas pumped storage hydro scheme on the shores of Loch Lochy in Lochaber. If approved for final investment, this 1.3GW (30GWh) scheme would double the UK’s current capacity for long-duration energy storage; enough to power around 3 million homes for up to 24 hours.
If it goes ahead, Coire Glas would become the first large-scale pumped hydro storage scheme in Britain for over 40 years and the largest of its kind in the UK. Its ability to quickly store and release energy would help make the national energy system more flexible and resilient. The project would also create a major economic opportunity for the west highlands during construction and beyond.
Mike Seaton, Director of Development for Coire Glas, says: “Coire Glas is this generation’s continuation of ‘Power from the Glens.’ The project will contribute to the local economy during construction, and its operation will extend for many, many years just like all the other hydro schemes throughout the glens of Scotland.”
Making connections
Another Chamber member, SSEN Transmission, is already making a huge investment in the west highlands with their Skye Reinforcement Project – part of the business’s £20bn ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. This major upgrade – the total length of which is 160 km – will replace power lines between Fort Augustus and Skye.
The new line will have greater capacity, allowing more wind and renewable energy projects across the Hebrides and west highlands to plug into the National Grid, and is crucial to maintaining local network reliability.
Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, said: “This project and our wider investment programme will be a major driver of jobs and economic growth locally and across the north of Scotland, bringing substantial opportunities for communities and businesses.”
Stronger together
From ports and power lines to energy storage and beyond, our Chamber members are creating lasting opportunities for people and businesses in our region.
Through the strength of our chamber network and strong partnerships, West Highland Chamber is ensuring local businesses are connected, informed and ready to benefit from these developments.
As Frazer Coupland, Chief Executive of West Highland Chamber, puts it: “These projects show the west highlands have an important part to play in the UK’s energy future. It’s an exciting time for our region, and our Chamber members are right at the heart of it.”
If you’d like to keep up to date with the latest business news from the west highlands, email membership@westhighlandchamber.co.uk to request our free ‘Monday Morning Brief’ weekly email update.
