The Crown Estate recently announced 1.2GW of marine energy leases in Orkney waters and the wider Pentland Firth.
This announcement included an estimated £3 billion of related capital investment.
Orkney Islands Council Vice-Convener James Stockan chaired the Crown Estate conference at which this exciting development was made public.
Speaking at the event Mr Stockan observed that none of it would have happened with the foresight of Heriot-Watt University and its presence in Orkney.