The UK government has allocated over GBP 55 million (approximately EUR 66 million) for expanding the Port of Cromarty Firth in Scotland. This initiative aims to make the port the UK’s first capable of manufacturing floating offshore wind turbines on site and at scale.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) funding for the Invergordon-based Trust Port’s Phase 5 expansion, which plans to establish the UK’s first custom-built hub for floating offshore wind farm construction.
This funding is expected to enable the port to secure additional investments, with the port set to become operational by 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,” stated Energy Minister Michael Shanks.
“That’s why the government is moving forward with building infrastructure to roll out clean energy swiftly, creating skilled jobs in local communities and driving growth – the priority in our Plan for Change.”
The expansion project is anticipated to generate 170-320 jobs during construction. Once fully developed, the port is expected to support up to 1,000 skilled positions, including crane operators and marine engineers.
The port’s deep, sheltered waters are ideal for accommodating large ships delivering major components for offshore wind, such as towers and blades, which will be manufactured in the UK and beyond.
Upon arrival at 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.
Launched in 2023, FLOWMIS offers grants to ports to develop infrastructure necessary for deploying 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, in development.
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