The UK government has awarded more than GBP 55 million (about EUR 66 million) for the expansion of the Port of Cromarty Firth in Scotland. According to the government, this will enable the port to become the first in the UK capable of making floating offshore wind turbines on site and at scale.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) funding for the Invergordon-based Trust Port’s Phase 5 expansion, which aims to establish the UK’s first custom-built integration hub for floating offshore wind farm construction.
The support will allow the port to secure match funding from banks and/or other investors, with the port expected to become operational by the start of 2028.
“Communities in Scotland and across the country should be powered by reliable, home-grown, clean energy from British coastlines – this is how we reduce our reliance on unstable fossil fuel markets and bring down energy bills for good,” said Energy Minister Michael Shanks .
“That’s why the government is getting on with building the infrastructure needed to roll out clean energy quickly, creating skilled jobs in local communities and driving growth – the priority in our Plan for Change.”
The expansion project is expected to create 170-320 jobs in the construction phase. When fully developed, the port is expected to support up to 1,000 skilled jobs, such as crane operators, marine engineers, and people working on the vessels towing the turbines out to the sea.
The port’s deep, sheltered waters are suited to accommodating the large ships that will deliver major components for offshore wind, such as towers, blades, steel, or concrete floating foundations, the port said. These will be manufactured around the UK and further afield.
Once received onto the Quay West and the new Phase 5 laydown area, the floating turbines will be assembled and pre-commissioned, before being towed to the wind farm site.
FLOWMIS was launched in 2023 and is designed to provide grants to ports to support the development of port infrastructure needed for the deployment of floating offshore wind at scale. The Port of Cromarty Firth is one of two ports selected for funding, with plans for the second shortlisted port, Port Talbot, under development.
LinkedIn X Facebook Google News