ESB and UHI Shetland have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will see them establish an arrangement for collaboration and cooperation as part of the Stoura floating offshore wind farm project.
The main areas of focus will be education, data sharing, research, and long-term environmental monitoring. Both organisations are committed to working together to develop the skills required to deliver on the Scottish Government’s climate action targets.
The MOU was signed at the Stoura public engagement session in the auditorium of the Shetland Museum and Archives on 19th September 2024. ESB team members answered queries about the project at the event and will use this input as well as future engagements to further refine plans for the project.
Dr. Cian Desmond, Stoura Project Director at ESB, said: “A central focus of this MOU will be seeking to replicate the enormous success of the Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group (SOTEAG) model in the context of a floating wind farm. I hope that through collaborating with the leading experts at UHI Shetland, we can effectively make Stoura a living laboratory which provides training opportunities and nurtures a local floating wind-based knowledge economy.”
Jane Lewis, UHI Shetland Principal and CEO Professor, said: “We look forward to working with ESB on education, teaching and training especially to develop skills to deliver on the Scottish Government’s climate action targets, as well as to support industry demand for the wind renewables sector. Collaborating with Stoura on research and development will be mutually beneficial, and we look forward to working together on student projects.”
Pictured is Dr Cian Desmond, ESB and Jane Lewis, UHI Shetland at the signing of the MOU.
