5th - 9th September 2011
The Duke of York visits Scotland
The Duke of York visited Scotland for four days to carry out a number of visits on three themes:first the future of energy and renewable energy in Scotland; second, the wider business opportunities for Scotland in the years ahead and third, to carry out various patronage duties.
Energy and Renewable Energy
On the evening of 5th September, HRH attended the Offshore Europe 2011 Dinner in Aberdeen, delivering the keynote speech. The Duke highlighted the important work of British Oil and Gas Companies, delivering world-class expertise across the sector worldwide, and now developing technologies and expertise in the renewables field.
Pledging to raise 100% of electricity from renewable energies, and 30% overall, by 2020 at the All-Energy conference in Aberdeen in May, Scotland has set ambitious targets to extend their strengths in the renewable energies sector.One key emerging area will be wave and tidal energy.The Duke of York visited Orkney for a series of meetings, discussing both the opportunities and challenges offered by wave and tidal.The key will be further investment and impetus to move from the demonstrator phase, which is taking place at present, to the deployment of commercial arrays, after 2020. This is a challenge, but both the Scottish and the British Government, through DECC, are working hard to achieve this goal.
Visits to the embryo Power Networks Demonstration Centre provided detail of the vital integration which must take place with the Grid, in a short timescale, to be able to capitalise on this green energy.The PNDC will open in 18 months, and will play an important role in marrying-up this energy with the Grid. A visit to Strathclyde University, included the Wind Energy Research Centre, Nautricity, the GSE simulator and a briefing on the Strathclyde Technology and Innovation Centre.Strathclyde is playing a major role in developing the academic and business tie-up to bring the opportunities presented by renewable energy in Scotland, and the wider UK, to fruition.
The Scottish Business Agenda
A dinner was held at the Palace of Holyrood, organised by Scottish Enterprise,to discuss the future business environment in Scotland.Much of the opportunity lies in the skilled work force, the R&D opportunities, and the development of the alternative energy business which will need support from industry and high value engineering.
There was also a lunch hosted by the Lord Provost in Glasgow to discuss the Glasgow Economic Commission Report, looking at the future of Glasgow for the next 20 years. With the Commonwealth Games arriving in 2014, which will provide a platform on the World stage, the importance of education and apprenticeships in Glasgow were identified as key drivers, with a centre of excellence being provided in the University of Strathclyde.
The Duke visited Glengarclas Distillery, to celebrate their 150 years, and opened the Glenmorangie bottling plant in Livingston.He also visited Lossie Sea Foods, and had a lunch at RAF Lossiemouth, to discuss the challenges faced in Moray by the impending closure of RAF Kinloss.
Patronages and others
There were also visits to RAF Lossiemouth (of which The Duke is Honorary Air Commodore) on the way up, to Buckie High School, a board meeting of Outward Bound at Loch Eil (of which he is Executive Chairman) and a visit to RAF Cranwell on the way South at the end of the programme.
