An Israel delegation visited Kilmarnock during COP26 as they checked out one of the town's largest projects.
The close-to-completion HALO Innovation and Enterprise Centre played host to the group headed by Yoav Katsavoy, chairman of the Israel Electricity Authority.
Mr Katsavoy was in Kilmarnock as the guest of East Ayrshire Council (EAC) who chose this as Kilmarnock’s best example of an innovative development that prioritises sustainability to demonstrate the area’s commitment to carbon reduction and to developing young people’s cyber and digital skills.
Mr Katsavoy received a presentation on The HALO 23-acre Digital and Cyber Innovation Park by HALO Urban Regeneration company founder and executive chair, Marie Macklin CBE. Andrew Kennedy from EAC provided an overview of the council’s climate change strategy, including the £24.5 million Community Renewable Energy project (CoRE) in Cumnock.
He was then given a tour of the low carbon building, including the facility’s 15,500 square foot trading floor, where scale-ups, SMEs and newcos will create employment through digital and cyber technologies built around health, energy and enterprise.
The HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre, which is due to open its doors in January 2022, has just released a range of packages designed to support these innovative, growing businesses.
The HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre is powered by 150 rooftop solar panels and by 100 per cent renewable power supplied by its partner, ScottishPower. Mr Katsavoy also saw up close some of the development’s other low carbon innovations including its battery power storage, electric bike and car recharging stations and the HALO’s bespoke electric bus.
Commenting on his visit, Mr Katsavoy, chairman of Israel Electricity Authority, said: “This was a very inspiring and interesting visit.
"This is a timely reminder that we need to bear in mind the needs of the local communities as we tackle the big challenge of our journey to net zero emissions.”
Ms Macklin added: “I’m proud that Mr Katsavoy and the Israel Electricity Authority have shown such a close interest in The HALO. As COP26 gets under way in Glasgow, we’re keen to demonstrate the low carbon credentials of The HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre.
“We see this as a place to collaborate with the rest of the world. With the State of Israel’s status as a world leader in developing cyber and digital skills, this was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate not just just how far advanced we are here in East Ayrshire in driving the sustainability agenda, but also this vital area for skills development in our young people and for our entrepreneurial businesses.”
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