As The HALO Kilmarnock’s international reputation continues to grow, the close-to-completion HALO Innovation and Enterprise Centre today played host to a delegation 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 The HALO 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% 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, Yoav 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.”
Marie Macklin said:
“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.”
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, said:
“We were honoured by Mr Katsavoy’s visit to East Ayrshire and grateful that he took time out of his hectic COP26 schedule to learn about our plans for climate change and renewable energy. It’s very fitting that we welcomed him to The HALO project, as this is the first Ayrshire Growth Deal project to come to fruition.
“As a country, Israel is well advanced in net zero technologies and I’m sure as our strategies develop, there is much we can learn from our dignified guests.”
The HALO Digital and Cyber Innovation Park includes:
- The HALO Enterprise & Innovation Centre a 50,000 sq ft low – a carbon BREEAM Excellent rated building .
- 210 innovative smart homes of the future fuelled by 100 per cent renewable energy and digital healthcare monitoring systems
- 40 Low carbon Live Work Units for entrepreneurs
- The HALO #Rockme Green Economy Cyber Research & Training Centre
- Light Manufacturing Low Carbon Zone
- Urban Eco Sports Park
- Children’s Innovation & Learning Hub
- VR Education & Gaming Hub
- Wave Surf Leisure & energy monitoring centre
- Digital High Street
- HALO low carbon EV transport hub.
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