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Https://www.investni.com/media-centre/news/kieran-donoghue-appointed-chief-executive-invest-northern-ireland

Invest Northern Ireland has announced the appointment of Kieran Donoghue as Chief Executive Officer.

Colm McKenna, Interim Chair of Invest NI, said, “I am delighted that we have secured Kieran as our new Chief Executive. Kieran brings a wealth of experience from a long and highly successful career in economic development and Foreign Direct Investment.

“This is an exciting time for the organisation and we look forward to welcoming Kieran to the team when he joins us in early 2024.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Mel Chittock for his stewardship of the organisation over the last two years and to commend him on the guidance and support he has provided during that time. Mel will continue in the role of Interim Chief Executive until Kieran joins us.”

Kieran Donoghue said: “I am delighted to take up this very important role. I look forward to working with the staff of Invest NI, the Board, the business community and our many stakeholders, as we pivot Invest NI to deliver the recently launched Action Plan in response to the Independent Review of Invest NI.”

2 Tugs, Sarah Grey and Venture in port as well as Lady Ariane a General Cargo Ship.

It will be an excellent training ground for the new apprentices and they with the wider workforce will learn together as the new technology investment is put in place. In the longer term, I expect the US Navy may also have work which H&W can support with.

Congratulations on your 600th negative post 👍. Impressive for someone not invested and who says they have no connection with No Gas Caverns.

Https://hydrogencouncil.com/en/new-report-highlights-the-integral-role-of-clean-hydrogen-in-decarbonizing-energy-systems/

Partial extract

Across all regions, it is shown how hydrogen brings flexibility and optimization to the energy system. Hydrogen turbines will complement batteries by providing long-duration flexibility during prolonged supply shortages. However, enabling infrastructure like pipelines, storage, CO2 networks, and import terminals is essential to realize hydrogen’s full potential. With the right infrastructure and market incentives, hydrogen can make the net-zero transition more affordable.

“This report provides a comprehensive look at how hydrogen can make the journey to decarbonized energy systems more affordable and reliable. The time is now for industry and government to work together to scale hydrogen and make it a critical piece of our global energy future.”

Wow, the ship is massive. The photo of the ship's chain is crazy.

Https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/harland-and-wolff-receives-new-61m-contract-for-vessel-refit/a359157995.html

“This is a significant win within our non-defence portfolio from a global, blue-chip energy group and I am pleased that we are gaining a reputation as a go-to yard for large and complex programmes.

“With an estimated 1,000 personnel on-site, this project will allow for further synergies in our execution, leveraging off of personnel, skill sets and supply chains that will support the upcoming FSS Programme”.

The company’s Belfast yard is one of Europe’s largest heavy engineering facilities, with deep water access, two of Europe’s largest drydocks, ample quayside and vast fabrication halls.

Https://maritime-executive.com/article/harland-wolff-wins-refit-for-fpso-continuing-to-re-establish-famed-yard

Https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/derry-now/1327833/firmus-energys-new-natural-gas-pipeline-now-completed-in-eglinton.html

"The £1.3m investment will see over 1,400 homes and businesses given the opportunity to make the upgrade to natural gas this year, paving the way for a greener future using infrastructure that is now ready to transport renewable biomethane and in the future a 20% hydrogen blend. "

The local Energy Advisor for firmus energy, Barry Cassidy, said: “I would encourage anyone who is considering upgrading from oil to natural gas to come along to our information evening on Thursday, 26th October and take advantage of the expert advice and guidance that will be on offer."

Seems like a sensible £1.3m network investment to support an upgrade from oil to natural gas with potential to support hydrogen blending in the future.

The Islandmagee storage facility would be consistent with this network investment approach with the ability to evolve from gas to hydrogen to deliver a managed energy transition.

Https://www.stornowayportauthority.com/latest/deep-water-terminal-community-newsletter-issue-15/

Nice to see the progress being made

"The company said the ramp up in work comes as it prepares to return to shipbuilding as part of the delivery team for the £1.6 billion Royal Navy contract to build four support vessels. Harland and Wolff will work with Spanish company Navantia UK to build fleet support ships for the Royal Navy."

"It said it expects that deal to generate £700 million to £800 million for the company over its course, while total contracted revenue for the next seven years sits at £1 billion in total, up £100 million since March."

Https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/arrival-of-borealis-caps-record-season-for-cruise-ship-visits-in-belfast/a1443070018.html

It says final cruise ship for season. Does this now open up a maintenance window period for cruise ships?

Https://www.energylivenews.com/2023/10/20/national-gas-advances-hydrogen-network-in-britain/

Partial Extract:

"Project Union, led by National Gas, aims to establish a British hydrogen backbone capable of transporting 100% hydrogen, linking hydrogen production and storage with end-users.

By repurposing existing high-pressure gas transmission network infrastructure and constructing new pipelines, Project Union will create a hydrogen network covering up to 2,000 kilometres, equivalent to a quarter of Britain’s current methane transmission network.

Jacobs and ERM will collaborate with National Gas to develop strategic route options, leading to the production of a Strategic Options Report and pre-FEED report for a full hydrogen backbone."

I expect Islandmagee will be developed to support integration of UK and ROI energy networks with rest of Europe.

Presumably attracts UKEF support for this export deal.

Https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/details-unveiled-of-us-trade-delegation-visiting-northern-ireland/a1051603708.html

I agree Kaeren, seems odd.

Https://www.scilly.gov.uk/news/update-levelling-sea-links-project-11-october-2023

"The information gathered from this process will be used to complete the business case, which the Department for Transport (DfT) requires in order to release the full £48.4m of Levelling Up funding to the Council.

Once we have completed this process and updated our business case, we will submit the final version to DfT for their consideration. Even if DfT approves the business case, it can only be used to access the funding in the event that the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group is unable to complete its vessel replacement programme as they currently intend, using private financing. "

Https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-z9kp5-14d16ba

https://www.energylivenews.com/2023/10/19/hydrogen-is-like-an-insurance-policy-for-the-country/

Recommend listening to this podcast to get a strong feel for direction of travel and National Gas ambition in this space for UK. Some key facts / dates that I haven't heard elsewhere.

Https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/greenpeace-loses-legal-challenge-uks-new-north-sea-oil-gas-licenses-2023-10-19/

Https://m.independent.ie/business/irish/esb-partners-with-frances-edf-for-scottish-wind-farm/a715666273.html

Partial Extract

The ESB has agreed a deal with French energy giant EDF to develop a major 36 turbine wind farm in Scotland.

Once completed, the 200 megawatt Stornoway wind farm will be able to supply enough power for 115,000 homes, equivalent to a small city.

The ESB will have a 50:50 share in the project with EDF Renewables, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EDF.

The two firms will co-own Lewis Wind Power, the body which has been established for the Stornoway wind farm project.