Port Of Cromarty Firth Becomes Scotland’s First Floating Wind Turbine Hub

The UK government has announced a £55.7 million grant to expand the Port of Cromarty Firth in Scotland, making it the first port in the country capable of manufacturing floating offshore wind turbines on-site and at scale.

The Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) funded the project. The investment will enable the port to secure more private funding that will transform it into a floating offshore wind integration hub.

The expansion project is set to begin soon, with the port expected to be fully operational by 2028. The project is expected to create around 320 jobs during the construction phase.

Once it is fully developed, the Port of Cromarty Firth is estimated to support up to 1,000 highly skilled jobs, including roles in construction, installation, marine engineering, crane operations, and offshore vessel management.

The funding is part of the government’s Plan for Change, aimed at speeding up the rollout of clean energy infrastructure, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and lowering energy costs for consumers.

The UK has been aggressively expanding its offshore wind capacity and already boasts the largest grid-connected floating offshore wind farm in the world.

Currently, there are 30GW of floating offshore wind projects in the pipeline, to meet the government’s clean power targets by 2030.

A government energy official stated that this investment would help deliver energy security while creating jobs in local communities. The UK is already a world leader in floating offshore wind, and this funding will make Cromarty Firth a key player in offshore wind technology.

The Chief Executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth was enthusiastic about the expansion, stating that the FLOWMIS grant is a critical milestone in establishing the UK’s first dedicated floating offshore wind integration port.

The executive added that this funding could unlock more investments in other ports across the Green Freeport.

The government has also introduced the Clean Industry Bonus, an initiative designed to encourage offshore wind developers to invest in cleaner supply chains and create industrial jobs.

The Port of Cromarty Firth is one of two ports selected for FLOWMIS funding, with Port Talbot also being considered for a similar development. Once completed, the Cromarty Firth project is estimated to support between 280 and 1,000 full-time jobs.

Reference: UK gov

Source: Maritime Shipping News