Associated British Ports (ABP) has announced a deal to investigate an area for the development of infrastructure to support offshore wind (OSW) manufacturing, assembly and marshalling and green energy on the Cromarty Firth in Scotland, within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (the Green Freeport).
According to ABP, the area lies within the proposed Nigg and Pitcalzean area of the Green Freeport and could support both fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind (FLOW) projects and play a major role in the development of current and future ScotWind leasing rounds.
In particular, the Cromarty Firth offers an attractive combination of physical and geographic advantages with a strong current group of ports and energy business and benefits from a Green Freeport location.
Over the coming months, ABP will work closely with key local stakeholders and the community as they consider the potential of the location.
Moreover, in selecting the potential development site, ABP has been respectful of other sites important for the success of the Cromarty Firth and Inverness Green Port.
The Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce’s recently published “Industry Roadmap 2040”, estimated that planned floating offshore wind projects in Scottish waters alone will require three to five integration ports.
ABP is already developing plans for an investment of around US$600 million in its port at Port Talbot in South Wales to act as a major FLOW construction facility. The company will be applying the experience from that development as it assesses options for Nigg.
Calum MacPherson, chief executive officer of the Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport commented, “The Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport welcomes today’s announcement by Associated British Ports. Offshore wind presents great new potential for growing investment and good jobs for the Inverness and Cromarty Firth areas.”
