Highlands and islands businesses have left in buoyant mood after what was yet again a record-breaking All-Energy show in Aberdeen this week.
The two-day event, which finished at Aberdeen Conference and Exhibition Centre yesterday, attracted 8,322 visitors.
This was up by 8% on last year, when 7,659 people attended.
There was also a significant rise in the number of international visitors.
All-Energy project director Judith Patten said: “Once again we have had a record-breaking attendance.
“It seems incredible in 12 years we have gone from 350 people to 8,322 from more than 50 countries.
“We are tremendously encouraged from the feedback from exhibitors and visitors, including from the Highlands and islands, and we look forward to coming back next year on May 22-23.”
Some 76 firms showed under the banner of HI-Energy to showcase the region’s renewable expertise in regional pavilions from Orkney, Shetland, Caithness and Argyll.
Calum Davidson, director of energy and low carbon at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said there was increasing activity and interest in the region.
“I’ve had meetings with Norwegians, people from Japan and France, all focused on how they can work in Scotland and the Highlands,” he said.
“They are looking for supply chain support and research opportunities – they see Scotland as a place to do business.”
Firms said there was strong interest from potential customers.
David Guthrie, managing director of Inverness-based Gael Force, said: “We have had a lot of inquiries and a lot of interest in our SeaLimpet anchor and our moveable offshore meteorological mast using SeaLimpet, developed in a joint venture with Holder.
“The show has grow year on year. Three years ago people were maybe a bit more speculative. Now people are talking seriously about deals and contracts.”
John Best, head of sustainable energy at Fendercare, which has a base at Lyness, Orkney, and is part of the Fisher Group, said the show felt very “energised”.
He had been to every All-Energy since the start and said it had been a privilege to see projects develop from potential to reality.
Mr Best added: “The critical part for us was to focus on the global opportunities through Orkney because of the physical conditions there which, while being challenging, could create a substantial amount of clean energy.
“By being here we now have strong potential for completing business with Norway.”
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