Over 100 business and industry representatives gathered this week to discuss economic and investment plans for the future of Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.

The Aberdeen Entrepreneurs event, held at the Buchan Braes hotel in Boddam, was put together by Ideas in Partnership and included Statoil, KPMG, Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Peterhead Port Authority, Energetica and members of Peterhead Energy Hub including Score, Asco and Dales Engineering.

Attendees heard from Peterhead Port Authority Chief Executive John Wallace, who spoke about the next stage of the port’s development plans. The new £47m proposal aims to create new facilities and secure the port’s position as one of Europe’s leading fishing ports, while also expanding existing capacity for oil and gas activity.

Energetica Development Manager James Welsh spoke about activities in the Energetica Corridor, including the £15m investment in facilities and capacity at Aberdeen International Airport, due for completion in 2018.

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Attendees were also given an overview of the Hywinds Scotland Pilot Park, the UK’s first floating windpark. Statoil ASA Head of Communications, Ola Morten, spoke about the plans, which will feature five 6m floating wind turbines operating approximately 25km off the coast of Peterhead.

Buchan Area Manager Chris White said: "There was a real buzz about the Aberdeen Entrepreneurs event which highlights the benefits of taking a partnership approach between the public and private sectors to deliver shared aspirations for Peterhead’s future.

"Along with the Hywinds Park project is the Peterhead Carbon, Capture and Storage Project, two world-leading proposals which will mean big changes for Peterhead. With major development at the port, and work on the AWPR starting, these are exciting times ahead for the town and it is great to see businesses and organisations working together to make the most of the opportunities that are becoming available."

Carolyn Maniukiewicz, Director of Ideas In Partnership owner of Aberdeen Entrepreneurs, said: "This event shows the interest that businesses from across many different sectors have in Peterhead. Peterhead has a buoyant economy due mostly to success of the Port and their ongoing vision which was highlighted at the event. The fact that companies like Statoil are going to be sighting a world class demonstrator project just off Peterhead helps to emphasise this point."

The next Aberdeen Entrepreneurs event will be entitled 'The Entrepreneurial Journey Seen Through the Eyes of a Bank', including a talk from Wealth & Investment Management Director at Barclays, Mark McCue.

It will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Aberdeen on Thursday 14 May from 18:30 - 21:00.

www.aberdeenentrepreneurs.co.uk

(IT/MH)