Latest news with #AuroraEnergyServices
STV News
10-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
'Critical' £1.2m renewable training facility opens in Inverness
Scotland's deputy first minister has opened a 'critical' renewable energy training centre in Inverness. The £1.2m Aurora's Renewable Energy Training Centre is the first of its kind to open in the Scottish Highlands, and it is expected to train more than 1,000 people in its first year of operation. Eventually, it's expected to train more than 2,000 workers in the wind energy industry annually, who will be central to the country's renewable energy future. The new facility will eliminate the need for prospective wind sector workers from the Highlands, Western Isles and Orkney to travel to Aberdeen, the central belt or north England for safety and technical training qualifications. It's one part of Scotland's transition to net-zero plans. 'Wind energy project operators and developers are struggling to recruit staff with the prerequisite competency levels, and that's even before many of the recent successful ScotWind bids for fixed and floating windfarms get up and running,' Doug Duguid, CEO of Aurora Energy Services, said. 'If Scotland is serious about meeting net-zero levels by 2045, we have to put in place the workforce to construct, maintain and service the vast wind-related infrastructure, and Aurora's Inverness facility is playing a vital part in that process.' He added that the training centre is also providing a 'bridge between Scotland's proud oil and gas energy heritage and our renewable energy future'. Aurora Energy Services Ltd press release Aurora Energy Services CEO Doug Duguid, DFM Kate Forbes and Drew Stevenson, Lead IRATA & WAH, Instructor, Aurora Energy Services. The training centre addresses a 'critical skills shortage' identified by the Offshore Wind Industry Council, which predicted that by 2026, nearly 89,000 jobs will be needed in the UK offshore wind sector. That's an increase of 56,000 on the current workforce. Aurora's training programme will focus on retraining experienced oil and gas sector workers while preparing new entrants for deployment in renewable energy. 'Our transition to a net-zero and climate-resilient Scotland will put money in people's pockets, improve health and wellbeing, lead to better public services and protect our planet for future generations,' the deputy first minister said. 'Workers are at the heart of Scotland's just transition and it's vital we plan for a multi-skilled workforce and enable offshore workers to carry their experience and expertise into different roles as the energy sector evolves. 'This is a great example of how the Scottish Government is supporting the energy sector to achieve this through our Green Freeports. We are also funding the college sector to establish an Offshore Wind Skills Programme.' Forbes added: 'We will continue to work with organisations like Aurora Energy, Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and workers across the region to ensure communities thrive.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Press and Journal
03-06-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen floating wind specialist acquired by growing Inverness energy firm
Inverness-headquartered Aurora Energy Services has acquired Aberdeen firm Encomara, a specialist in floating wind deployment systems and subsea engineering. Industry stalwarts Ian Cobban, Malcolm Bowie, Ian Donald and Raymond Semple, founded Encomara in 2022. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, includes Encomara's innovative Squid system. The technology integrates pre-installed mooring and electrical connections in one modular subsea unit. This reduces the cost, time and risk associated with the deployment, recovery and reconnection of turbines. Aurora chief executive Doug Duguid has described the system as a 'true game changer'. Encomara's team of six will move to Aurora House in Dyce, keeping its brand and identity while continuing to offers specialist advice on floating wind, mooring systems, and subsea field development. Mr Duguid said: 'Encomara's Squid system is a step-change in floating wind development and this acquisition aligns perfectly with our technical strategy. 'Squid allows operators to modularise and industrialise offshore construction and combined with our fabrication and engineering capability, it gives Aurora a unique position in the market. 'We are committed to providing key investment in the Squid system to develop prototypes, in extensive offshore testing and roll-out to market, as we believe this is a true game-changer and it supports our ambition to lead in the energy transition.' Each member of the innovative foursome boasts decades of energy sector experience, including in wave, tidal, fixed and floating offshore wind. Mr Semple previously led regional offshore and subsea divisions for Technip in Brazil and North America, and then global subsea businesses owned by DOF Subsea and Baker Hughes. Before joining Encomara, Mr Cobban was chief operations officer for Inverness-based Global Energy Group. Mr Bowie has been an independent consultant and advisor in design and offshore construction for more than 35 years. Meanwhile, Mr Donald – who won an outstanding achievement gong at subsea industry awards in 2017 – joined Encomara after more than 40 years in executive, technical and project management roles. Mr Donald said: 'Aurora's ambition and capability give Encomara the ideal platform to accelerate our roadmap and bring the Squid system to more markets, more quickly. 'Together, we can industrialise floating wind deployment while staying focused on innovation, safety, and engineering quality.' Mr Semple will take on the role of chief operating officer, while chief technology officer, Mr Bowie, will continue in the same role in Aurora. Current Aurora chief operating officer, Tom Smith, will take on a new role as regional director for EAME (Europe Africa and Middle East). Aurora Energy Services was set up in 2022 by Doug Duguid and Michael Buchan to help drive the energy transition and now employs more than 275 people. The firm has invested £750,000 into its new Aberdeen property, Ury House in Howe Moss Crescent. It has also renamed the building, which is home to its integrated services division, Aurora House. Aurora is part of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF) consortium after joining last year. It has a large training and competency academy in the capital of the Highlands and also has its own in-house design and fabrication facility at Huntly. The company's global presence includes operations in North and South America as well as Australia.
