Government Allocates £55m for Offshore Wind Development at Scottish Port
Investment aims to establish Port of Cromarty Firth as the UK's first custom-built facility for floating offshore wind.
The UK Government has unveiled a £55.7 million investment to enhance the Port of Cromarty Firth, positioning it to support the burgeoning floating offshore wind industry.
This funding, provided under the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (Flowmis), is designed to enable the port to develop infrastructure capable of supporting the production of floating wind turbines on a large scale.
Floating offshore wind technology involves the deployment of turbines mounted on floating platforms, which are anchored to the seabed in deeper waters, allowing for electricity generation beyond the reach of traditional fixed-bottom turbines.
The port is projected to become operational by early 2028, with expectations of creating between 280 and 1,000 skilled jobs within sectors such as construction, installation, and ongoing operational support for wind farms.
The initiative aligns with the Government's objectives to meet its decarbonisation targets for the grid by 2030 and to stimulate economic growth across the region.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks commented on the initiative, emphasizing the importance of cultivating reliable, home-grown energy resources to reduce dependence on unstable fossil fuel markets while also alleviating energy costs for consumers.
He highlighted the UK's existing leadership in floating offshore wind and expressed optimism that this investment would further bolster the industry's growth, particularly in Scotland.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray reaffirmed Scotland's pivotal role in establishing the UK as a leader in clean energy, describing the investment as an endorsement of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and its surrounding communities.
Alex Campbell, the chief executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth, expressed satisfaction regarding the Flowmis funding allocation, which is key to advancing their ambitious Phase 5 expansion project.
He noted that the creation of the UK’s first custom-built floating offshore wind integration port represents a critical development for both local and national economies, with the funding expected to inspire further investments in related port projects within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport area.
This funding, provided under the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (Flowmis), is designed to enable the port to develop infrastructure capable of supporting the production of floating wind turbines on a large scale.
Floating offshore wind technology involves the deployment of turbines mounted on floating platforms, which are anchored to the seabed in deeper waters, allowing for electricity generation beyond the reach of traditional fixed-bottom turbines.
The port is projected to become operational by early 2028, with expectations of creating between 280 and 1,000 skilled jobs within sectors such as construction, installation, and ongoing operational support for wind farms.
The initiative aligns with the Government's objectives to meet its decarbonisation targets for the grid by 2030 and to stimulate economic growth across the region.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks commented on the initiative, emphasizing the importance of cultivating reliable, home-grown energy resources to reduce dependence on unstable fossil fuel markets while also alleviating energy costs for consumers.
He highlighted the UK's existing leadership in floating offshore wind and expressed optimism that this investment would further bolster the industry's growth, particularly in Scotland.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray reaffirmed Scotland's pivotal role in establishing the UK as a leader in clean energy, describing the investment as an endorsement of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and its surrounding communities.
Alex Campbell, the chief executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth, expressed satisfaction regarding the Flowmis funding allocation, which is key to advancing their ambitious Phase 5 expansion project.
He noted that the creation of the UK’s first custom-built floating offshore wind integration port represents a critical development for both local and national economies, with the funding expected to inspire further investments in related port projects within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport area.
