The Herald:

HELLO and welcome to the AM Business Briefing, as Hunterston Port and Resource Campus has signed an option agreement with global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power for the onshore infrastructure to support its proposed offshore windfarm project.

The development is part of a long-term deal which is claimed will bring new employment and career opportunities "to provide a sustainable future for many in Ayrshire".

Mainstream has secured land at the facility to build the enabling infrastructure for the offshore windfarm, including the substation as well as the cable landing.

The contract is described as the latest step forward in Hunterston’s vision "to build and develop a facility to service and grow the blue, green and circular economies".

The deal comes three months after Peel Ports signed a similar agreement with cabling company XLCC for a major facility to include two factories, which could further generate 900 jobs.

The Herald:

Andrew Martin, Peel Ports’ Group land and property director, said: “We are excited to be working in partnership with Mainstream as part of the wider regeneration of Hunterston.

“Mainstream is a highly respected and credible developer of off-shore assets, and we welcome their long term commitment to Hunterston PARC

“Their team buys into our vision for Hunterston and are committed to working with us to develop it further; including the potential for producing green hydrogen.

“Hunterston is one of Scotland’s largest brownfield sites and its largest deep water port. This agreement demonstrates the role it can play in meeting the challenge of a green economic recovery.”

Cameron Smith, Mainstream’s general manager of offshore, said: “Mainstream is committed to working in collaboration with Peel Ports to help develop the park at Hunterston to service the green economy.

“As one of the first anchor tenants to buy into their vision, we have secured crucial acreage to build our onshore connection infrastructure and will work with Peel to develop our associated hydrogen production and other facilities.”

Mainstream has developed over 20 per cent of the UK’s offshore capacity which is either in construction or operation.

Businesses must break through Brexit barrier

Scotland’s best-known entrepreneurs have spoken up about the challenges presented to businesses by Brexit in answer to questions put to them by a Glasgow-based hospitality operator.

Derek Mallon, who has more than 30 years of experience in the sector across the UK, asked Sir Tom and Lord Haughey on their Go Radio show: “Given the difficulties we’re seeing in so many areas of the economy at present, how much of this would you leave at the door to Brexit? And do you think business leaders should be speaking out more about the situation?”

Time to take the baton and make COP26 a success for the long-term

As the world assesses whether COP26 in Glasgow has met or fallen short in its promise to tackle climate change, Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey have revealed their own personal views.

Speaking on the Go Radio business show, Sir Tom told host Donald Martin, editor of The Herald and Herald on Sunday: “Was COP26 a success? The truth of the matter is we won’t know until years ahead because COP26 was about words: are the words going to turn into action?