The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

 

NDA funding is making a positive difference to Caithness as members of the board were able to see at first hand recently.

First port of call for Janette Brown, the Chair of the NDA Socio-Economic Committee, and Jon Phillips, NDA Communications and Stakeholder Relations Director, was a meeting with Wick Harbour Authority to see how the NDA's £365,000 funds have been used to develop a marina in the town's harbour.

The marina, which was opened by HRH Princess Royal in September last year, has been a major lift for the town - helping to diversify the harbour and providing a much-needed new income stream for the Harbour Authority.

Next on the list was Scrabster Harbour to see the existing harbour facilities first hand and talk to the Trust about planned improvements.

The Trust has applied for funding of £2 million from the NDA's socio-economic budget as part of a £23 million project to develop the harbour - helping to provide infrastructure which will support the development of wave and tidal energy in the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters.

Finally, a meeting was held with Caithness Chamber of Commerce for a discussion on business and innovation opportunities in the area.

Randall Bargelt, the NDA's Site Programme Director, said: "The NDA is committed to supporting Highlands & Islands Enterprise to help build a sustainable future for the area. Although the safe decommissioning of Dounreay is our main priority, we are working hard to minimise the impact through the identification and support of projects which we believe will have a long-lasting impact and provide local employment opportunities beyond the lifespan of Dounreay."

To find out more about the NDAs socio-economic activities click here.