Published:  29 December, 2010

STAFF are preparing to move in to the newly built marine energy research centre at North Highland College UHI’s main campus in Thurso.

The £3 million complex is to become the academic hub in support of the upcoming wave and tidal power schemes being started up off the north and west coasts of Scotland.

Plans to have the centre up and running last month were thrown off track by weather-enforced delays in carrying out snagging work and the collapse of construction firm Rok, which had been doing electrical work.

Another electrical firm was hired and the handover from the contractors has now been completed.

The 17 full-time equivalent staff will be moving in soon after the return from the festive break.

The Environmental Research Institute (ERI) is to spearhead a £4m research project which is designed to smooth the way for the fledgling industry.

Its research team will compile tidal, wave and weather data as well as study how the subsea turbines will impact on marine life and seabirds.

It will also examine marine policy and spatial planning; electricity grid constraints and community engagement.

The ERI is to collaborate with colleagues from the Scottish Association for Marine Science at Dunstaffnage, near Oban.

The weather has also been causing logistical problems in the construction of the £9m engineering skills centre, being built to the rear of the college. The installation of the main panels was delayed by a week but the contractors are confident they can make up the time when they return to the site after the holidays.

The building is scheduled to be commissioned for the new college intake after the summer holidays.

College board of management member Tom Sayles yesterday praised staff and students for how they have coped with the two construction sites.

He said: “The work has obviously caused a huge deal of disruption over the past 12 months or so.

“It’s meant some staffrooms have not been available and students and staff having to decant into other premises. They deserve great credit for their forbearance.”