Aberdeen, Scotland - Business attraction within the green sector was front and centre last month as Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency's (S-HRDA) John Beaton attended an Atlantic Canada Trade Mission to Aberdeen Scotland with a dozen other stakeholders with interest in investment attraction and the green sector. The trade mission included the Aberdeen All-Energy Show featuring over 500 clean tech exhibitors.

All-Energy is Europe’s largest renewable energy event. Held in Aberdeen, All-Energy is a conference and trade show focusing on all aspects of the burgeoning renewable energy sector; tidal, biofuels, solar, hydrogen, wind and carbon capture "It was great to see the extent to which economic and business development in the green sector is happening in the UK" says John Beaton. "It's helping to drive competition, lower capital costs and further stimulate the growth of clean tech supply chains" Beaton added. "From a energy resource point of view, there's significant interest in our region because of our available export options such as rail and deep water ports."

With the assistance of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Governments of New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, OTANS led the trade mission to All-Energy and organised an exhibitor booth for the Atlantic Canada Trade Mission delegates. Throughout the week, John Beaton attended 15 targeted meetings that were arranged by the trade mission matchmaker. These meetings included Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, Scottish Enterprise/Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Aberdeen City Council and attended several private sector meetings including both conventional and renewable energy sources. "There are effective partnerships happening between sectors - for example, off-shore oil and gas companies are interested in diversifying supply while wave and tidal energy developers are interested in accessing the skills and resources from from the offshore oil sector and this is the key to energy security" noted Beaton.

Beaton was provided a tour of the Aberdeen Energy Centre, which houses a community district heating system. This was a valuable learning experience given a recent partnership study between the Town of Port Hawkesbury, The Municipality of the County of Richmond and S-HRDA. This study is investigating the feasibility of utilising waste heat from NewPage to provide a long term fixed price heat source for businesses and residents in the Strait Area.

John Beaton's participation in the Atlantic Canada was made possible in part because of support from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.

Strait-Highlands RDA is accountable to three Municipal Councils (County of Inverness, Town of Port Hawkesbury, and County of Richmond), Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, Nova Scotia Community Services, and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. Find out about our latest projects and activities at www.strait-highlands.ns.ca or subscribe to our monthly newsletter, email info@strait-highlands.ns.ca.

For more information, please contact:

John Beaton, Energy & Sustainability Consultant
Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency
32 Paint Street, Unit 5
Port Hawkesbury NS B9A 3J8
Phone: 902-625-3929
Email: john.beaton@strait-highlands.ns.ca