Green freeport deal signing in Inverness with SNP’s Kate Forbes and Labour’s Douglas Alexander unlocks £25 million in funding and £6.5 billion in investment
Two of Scotland’s top politicians will be in Inverness today to sign an “historic” agreement to establish the Highlands as “major international hub for the offshore wind and renewable energy sector.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander will sign the memorandum inaugurating the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF).
The deal concludes a five-year process and unlocks £25 million in UK government cash to fund infrastructure projects for offshore wind generation and other areas and opens the door to “£6.5 billion of investment to build a legacy for future generations.”
The so-called memorandum of understanding (MoU) creates the formal framework for co-operation, responsibilities and obligations of the UK and Scottish governments, and Highland Council – which is responsible for governance.
The proposal for the freeports emerged from Boris Johnson’s government and it is claimed ICFGF represents a “transformational, once in a generation opportunity for the Highlands and will be critical to delivering the UK’s clean energy ambitions.”
The ICFGF said: “Over the next 25 years, it is poised to create more than 11,000 long-term jobs and a workforce equipped with future-ready skills. It will attract over £6.5 billion of investment to build a legacy for future generations.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes – who was instrumental in delivering the freeport – said: “With its focus on the renewable and low-carbon energy industries, Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport aims to bring up to 11,300 jobs to the Highlands aligning with the Scottish Government’s flagship Fair Work First policy.
“This signing marks an exciting milestone as we enter the delivery phase which will bring more business to the region, following on from significant investments we’ve already seen including the Sumitomo subsea cable plant at Nigg and the Haventus energy transition facility at Ardersier.
“It is fitting that during Scotland’s National Innovation Week we are opening the door for more companies to innovate in green industries, bringing further regeneration to the Highlands and taking steps to achieving Scotland’s net zero ambitions.”
While Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "This is a pivotal moment in the UK Government’s mission to boost economic growth in all parts of the UK.
“The Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport will transform the economy of the Highlands, as well as playing a key role in our clean energy future.
“Supported by £25 million of UK government investment, and a range of UK Government tax incentives, this important collaboration between governments and local partners will deliver thousands of high-quality jobs and attract billions in investment.”
The signing will take place at Aurora Energy Services’ recently opened £1.2 million training facility in Inverness that will train more than 2000 workers for the sector every year.
The ICFGF has already started to deliver and was an instrumental lever used to attract Sumitomo Electric to the Port of Nigg with its £350 million subsea cable manufacturing facility creating more than 150 highly skilled local jobs when it opens next year.
While the Ardersier Energy Transition Facility has placed contracts with more than 110 local firms as part of the development to create nationally significant infrastructure for industrial-scale deployment of fixed and floating offshore wind.