PLANS for a global centre of excellence in the Highlands are taking off with the appointment by Opportunity Cromarty Firth of a manager to lead the PowerHouse.
Mina Hanna, a former petroleum and renewable energy sources engineer, will manage the centre at North Highland College UHI’s Tern House in Alness Point Business Park, which aims to bring together academic partners and innovative renewable energy organisations to the region.
Hanna, originally from Egypt, graduated with a BSc in Petroleum and Energy Sources Engineering from the American University in Cairo, and completed a master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering last year at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University.
He previously worked as an alternative fuels operations engineer for LafargeHolcim, a leading building materials and solutions firm, as well the Industrial Modernisation Centre in Egypt.
Hanna said: “I am delighted to take up this role with Opportunity Cromarty Firth, and I am looking forward to working closely with our partners as the PowerHouse begins to take shape.
“This is a truly exciting time to play a part in this project and focus on plans to bring transformative change to the Highlands in the way of highly skilled renewables jobs as well as first-class skills and technology development.
“We want to get the industry involved at an early stage and work with them to identify their priorities for future renewable energy sectors.
“We will develop the PowerHouse’s strategy with their objectives and requirements in mind as we bid to make the centre an invaluable asset to the entire industry.”
The PowerHouse aims to develop innovative applied research and development in the fields of floating offshore wind and green hydrogen.
It will also act as a specialist educational hub to provide training on the technologies for school pupils, students and workers interested in the renewable energy sectors, through the Highlands and beyond.
Educational provision will boost awareness and interest among the next generation on the future benefits and capabilities of this technology, and give existing workers from other industries, such as oil, gas and nuclear, the chance to help their transition into renewables.
The centre is backed by Opportunity Cromarty Firth, which includes the University of the Highlands and Islands, and public and private organisations such as Port of Cromarty Firth, the Highland Council, Global Energy Group and Skills Development Scotland.
Port of Cromarty Firth chief executive Bob Buskie said: “The importance of the PowerHouse is central to Opportunity Cromarty Firth’s plans, and these types of projects are vital to ensuring that the region becomes a forerunner in this new dawn of renewable energy technology.”
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