Inward Investment

With excellent natural resources, a solid skills base, and an established supply chain of companies working in the energy sector, it is understandable that more and more businesses are interested in basing some or all of their operations in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The IT infrastructure, transport options and quality of life are also aspects which play a part in making it possible and desirable to do business here.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Development International (SDI) work in partnership to support both existing and inward investor businesses.

HIE can work with businesses and organisations already in the Highlands and Islands to ensure they can realise the commercial opportunities in this region. SDI, on the other hand, delivers service and support to international companies wishing to develop a cost-effective base in Scotland for serving customers world-wide.

If you would like to know more about working with HIE in the Highlands and Islands region please contact HIE's International Development team:

• Telephone: + (0)1463 234 171
• Email: invest@hient.co.uk

If you are a company that would like to know more about basing operations in Scotland in general, please contact SDI:

• Telephone: 0800 917 9534
• Contact SDI

Video - Offshore Renewable Energy

Case in point: Skykon attracted to the Highlands and Islands

In March 2009 it was announced that Danish company Skykon had taken over a wind turbine tower factory in the region at Kintyre, Argyll.

The company safeguarded 100 jobs and has plans to increase the workforce to more than 300 by 2011. The deal was struck with help from a £9.7m government funding package. Scottish ministers said at the time that it would create virtually full employment in a rural area.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the new deal meant Scotland taking a huge leap forward in becoming a global leader in renewable energy.

The investment meant the plant, Skykon Campbeltown, could expand by nearly three times its size in order to supply offshore and onshore wind turbine towers to the international renewables market.

Skykon committed to investing £35m at the site, which was backed up by £9.2m of regional selective assistance money, and a £500,000 cash injection from HIE.

Mr Salmond said: "The impact of this investment will be truly transformational, not just for the Kintyre peninsula but for all of Scotland. It creates high quality and skilled employment in the local area and gives Scotland a lead in the development of clean, green energy technology - putting our nation at the forefront of global developments."

Skykon chief executive Jesper Ohlenschlaeger said Scotland was rapidly becoming Europe's "most positive" renewable wind power market: "The market growth is currently in Scotland and the UK, and Campbeltown offers a unique platform to build the leading UK tower supplier, delivering to the large wind turbine generators."

HIE chairman Willie Roe said: "This announcement boosts the economy of the whole area and we will continue to work with our partners to maximise its impact for the benefit of surrounding communities."

Scotland has the potential to generate up to 60GW of electricity from renewable sources, 10 times its peak demand.