£8bn offshore wind scheme waits for go-ahead: 5 need-to-know business stories

Hello and welcome to our daily digest of business, financial and economic news from around Scotland.
1. An £8 billion offshore wind farm crucial to hitting 2030 environmental goals is now waiting only on Scottish government approval before work can begin.
SSE Renewables, the developer of Berwick Bank, pointed out it is almost two years since the application for consent from Holyrood.
Key infrastructure in East Lothian was given the green light last year while planners in Northumberland this week signed off on grid connection and transmission infrastructure there.
However, the Scottish government still has to give its final verdict on the project which will be built off the East Lothian coast.
Alex Meredith, the project director for SSE, said it was “vital” a decision was made as soon as possible so the project can then bid in the UK government’s next contracts for difference power auction.
The UK government recently pledged to try to speed up decisions on renewable energy projects.
While he was first minister Humza Yousaf said he wanted projects in Scotland to be decided within 12 months.
2. Scientists have developed a device they believe can help prevent blood clots in patients who have undergone surgery.
A thin wireless sensor can be placed underneath bandages or compression stockings while a handheld device then measures if the right amount of pressure is being applied.
Philip Hands, from the University of Edinburgh, as well as Professor Marc Desmulliez, Vasileios Mitrakos and Lisa Macintyre, all of Heriot-Watt University, are behind the venture.
The team has received £75,000 of funding from Scottish Enterprise to look towards forming a spin-out company.
Hands said: “Currently most people who have an operation wake up to find themselves wearing compression stockings, and often they don’t fit well.
“Our device is unobtrusive, and with a wave of the handheld antennae near the body you can measure the pressure and adjust the stocking or bandage. We think this simple, cheap device has huge potential.”
3. A former Diageo executive is to be the new chairwoman at Scotland Food & Drink.
Pamela Scott spent 28 years at the Johnnie Walker maker and was latterly its global operational excellence director.
She has also worked at Scottish Leather Group, James Donaldson Group and Places for People Scotland.
At Scotland Food & Drink, the trade body, she replaces Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne, the founder of the Genius gluten-free food brand, who has been chairwoman since 2021.
Scott said: “Our goal is to ensure that Scotland’s food and drink remain at the heart of a thriving economy and a sustainable and profitable future.”
4. The high street retailer Primark has confirmed it will open its 21st store in Scotland next month.
The Glasgow Fort location spans 33,500 square feet across two floors and will employ 200 staff.
Gavin O’Reilly, Primark’s area manager for west Scotland and Cumbria, said the shop would open on December 5.
He added:“The enthusiasm is already building across the team.”
Primark’s first Scottish store was in Hamilton in 1975. It still trades from that location today.
5. Residents on Orkney have got faster broadband using the island’s water pipes.
CloudNet, the contractor, used the infrastructure on Papa Westray rather than laying new cabling.
The fibre broadband is delivered through a second pipe within the drinking water pipes as part of the government’s R100 connectivity programme.
Richard Lochhead, the business minister, said: “This ingenious approach represents a less disruptive way of delivering faster connectivity to all on Papa Westray.”