SSE Renewables is improving its water quality analysis with a commercial-research partnership with North Highland College Environmental Research Institute (NHC-ERI).
The partnership between SSE's renewable energy development division and NHC-ERI has led to the employment of a full-time laboratory technician and the purchase more than £50,000 worth of equipment which will benefit the NHC-ERI.
The lab will provide a rapid, high quality analytical service to SSE for its Strathy North wind farm, which is under construction.
Previously, samples have been sent to Stirling, however, SSE’s commitment to deliver project benefits to the local area led to the partnership with North Highland College, Thurso, ensuring skills and experience are developed and retained locally.
This relationship also forms part of the wider UHI-SSE plc partnership agreement signed by both organisations in 2012 with the aim of working closer together to benefit staff and students.
Rod Crawford, Project Manager, SSE said: “SSE is proud to have been part of the Highland community for generations and we want to make sure local people continue to benefit from the responsible development of the area’s natural energy resources. We are delighted with the new setup as it saves a 350 mile roundtrip to Stirling and ensures local employment.”
Dr Mark Taggart from the Environmental Research Institute said: “Our agreement with SSE is equally beneficial for both parties ensuring SSE has a high quality, rapid turnaround analytical service in close proximity to the Strathy development, while also providing new instrumentation and manpower for ERI.
"More broadly, this partnership is helping to facilitate ERI’s peatland research in the Flow Country as the instrumentation purchased allows us to accurately analyse key water quality parameters in groundwater, rivers and streams draining this internationally important peatland system.”
Gary Campbell, the university’s key account director, added: “This is a perfect example of a UHI partner institution working with a key business in our area. Such arrangements not only benefit SSE but also give UHI’s students and staff a chance to expand their experience and expertise in a subject area that will lead to wider economic benefits for the Highlands and Islands.”
SSE is committed to working closely with the local community and stakeholders to maximise economic and employment benefits for the local area. Known by many locally as Scottish Hydro, SSE has a strong history in the Highlands and Islands, where it already employs around 2,000 direct employees and contractors, and sees the north of Scotland as key to its future investment plans.