Focus North
Driving opportunities that shape our future
The North Highlands is Europe’s energy powerhouse, with billions of investment in the pipeline.
Join us as we begin a new economic journey.
Our region
Caithness and Sutherland is at the tip of the mainland UK, but the heart of the green economy. Ours is a land of wide open spaces, vast skies and dramatic seascapes, with a thriving sense of community.
Our sectors
Our unique sectoral mix includes onshore and offshore wind, wave, tidal, nuclear and space – not to mention world-class environmental science and a booming
tourist trade.
Our strategy
Focus North is a powerful collaboration between partners across the public, private, academic and third sector. Together, we’re charting a new course in the Just Transition. Discover our programme.
developments
industries
Offshore wind
Four major offshore windfarms operational or consented off the Caithness coast, producing enough energy to power
2.5 million homes.
Onshore wind
432 MW of power produced by onshore wind farms across the north Highlands, with a further 40 consented, bringing significant supply chain and job opportunities.
Tidal
The largest planned tidal stream project in the world, powered by the mighty Pentland Firth. Eight years providing energy to the grid and potential capacity of 398MW.
Nuclear
National centre of decommissioning excellence via NRS Dounreay, with £200m pa budget and £117m supply chain spend.
Space
Vertical launch site in rural Sutherland with planning permission for small satellite launch.
Environmental science
World-class research opportunities at the Flow Country peatland, the UK’s newest World Heritage Site.
focus north
Caithness and Sutherland produces 12.5 times the energy it consumes, making it a major contributor to UK green energy targets. It is the focus of billions of pounds of public and private sector investment in the coming decades, creating exciting opportunities in emerging fields including space, data centres, hydrogen and environmental science.
our STRATEGY
Inspire our people
We want to attract new talent to our region, as well providing the education, training and employment opportunities to reverse population decline and strengthen communities.
Prepare our region
We are gearing up our highly-skilled local supply chain to benefit from the transition to a green economy, providing business support, targeted training and funding for apprenticeships.
Grow our economy
With billions of public and private sector investment in the pipeline, we’re working to deliver rapid improvements in essential infrastructure including housing, transport and digital.
Read our masterplan
Focus North is two years into a three-year strategy to capitalise on the seismic opportunities ahead. Our strategy is a live and evolving document but you can download it here.
A powerful collaborative partnership driving growth in the North Highlands.
partners
Address
The Dome
UHI NWH Campus
Ormlie Road, Thurso
Caithness
KW14 7EE
Phone
01463 383 286