Expansion of Highland port required to bring green jobs to area
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The renamed Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport is planning a major expansion that could see the Port of Cromarty Firth double in size in a project worth between £150 million and £200 million.
Underwater testing work is under way at the Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) as part of preparations for the expansion as a jack-up barge has arrived at Invergordon and will be used to test and sample areas earmarked for the development over the coming weeks.
The testing is part of a range of pre-construction studies being carried out as the PoCF prepares to apply for the necessary licences for the project, which would almost double its existing capacity.
Director of strategic development for the port, Joanne Allday, confirmed it would need to expand to deal with the size of offshore turbines needed or else manufacturing jobs could go abroad.
“The Highlands is uniquely placed to benefit from this huge amount of offshore wind that is going to be built off the shores of our country and as a consequence of that we have an ability to play a significant role in Scotland reaching net zero,” she explained.
“These offshore turbines are very large and they’re getting larger. We’re currently quoting on 20 megawatt units. Because these things are quite large – you can’t just put them at any port – so we need to expand our facilities within our region.
“We are really the only place in Scotland that can do this at this scale and deliver what the industry needs and deliver the government’s requirements on net zero and also on local content.
“If we don’t do that here, it will realistically go abroad and the associated jobs will go abroad.
“So those of you that have been involved with the port’s engagement activities will know we’re looking at a potential £150 million to £200 million expansion of our facilities which could double the size of the facilities that we have.
“And that’s the kind of land space that we need to have available to be able to accommodate these industries and ensure that those jobs land here rather than go abroad and we believe it’s in everybody’s interest to make that happen.”
She added: “But of course, through the consultation on these kinds of expansions we will hear from the communities and be able to sense-check whether the communities agree that you will also want to see it here.”
Opportunity Cromarty Firth was the consortium that led the successful Inverness and Cromarty Firth bid for Green Freeport status and the new company has formed.
