Easter Ross offshore wind farm base potential being probed after …
A SWATHE of land in Easter Ross could play a pivotal role in the expansion of offshore wind development on the Cromarty Firth.
The area, within the proposed Nigg and Pitcalzean area of the Cromarty Firth freeport, 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.
Associated British Ports (ABP) today announced a deal to investigate the area for the development of infrastructure to support offshore wind manufacturing, assembly and marshalling.
It's understood the firm is talking to a number of developers it already has business relationships with over the potential it sees in Easter Ross.
It says 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". ABP says it wants to "add to this compelling existing ecosystem to help maximise the delivery of investment, jobs and opportunity" for the wider region.
See also: Billions of investment and thousands of jobs in focus[2]
King Charles pays visit to Port of Nigg[3]
Over the coming six to 12 months, it will work closely with local stakeholders and the community as it considers the potential of the location.
CEO Henrik Pedersen said: “Offshore wind offers huge potential to generate green energy and – if the right conditions are in place – significant jobs and prosperity benefits to Scotland and the UK.
"We’re excited to explore the potential of Nigg, applying our experience across the UK, including at our Ports of Grimsby, Hull, Lowestoft and Barrow which already host significant offshore wind activity and at Port Talbot, where we are developing a Floating Offshore Wind port project.We look forward to working with key local partners, the community, and public sector stakeholders.
“This new project emphasises ABP’s commitment to supporting green growth projects and is closely linked to our recently launched sustainability strategy – Ready for Tomorrow – which sets out plans for reaching net zero from our own operations by 2040."
Calum MacPherson, chief executive officer of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport said: “The Inverness and 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. It’s good to see an additional experienced port operator coming on board who wants to work with the existing green freeport members and local communities to help maximise the potential of the area.”
In selecting the potential development site, ABP says it has been respectful of other sites important for the success of the Cromarty Firth and Inverness Green Port and looks forward to working with local stakeholders to achieve that common goal.
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 a £500 million investment in its port at Port Talbot in South Wales to act as a major FLOW construction facility. The company says it will be applying the experience from that development as it assesses options for Nigg.
Andy Reay, head of offshore wind for ABP, commented: “This is an exciting development that plays a vital role in supporting delivery of the UK’s net zero commitments and the requirements for offshore wind projects in Scottish waters.
“Ports play a vital role in supporting the UK’s green energy transition. Today’s announcement will further cement ABP’s reputation as a leader in supporting the offshore wind industry with, for example, the world’s largest offshore wind Operations & Maintenance (O&M) port at its Port of Grimsby and hosting the UK’s largest wind turbine component-manufacturing plant at Green Port Hull.”
Over recent years, together with its customers, ABP has invested over £300 million to support the growth of offshore wind. ABP’s ports have supported the installation of over 500 turbines and provide support to over 7GW of offshore wind – over half of the UK total.
ABP’s existing ports on the West Coast of Scotland at the entrance to the Firth of Clyde – the Ports of Ayr and Troon – have recently also played an important role in supporting the delivery of onshore wind projects including the South Kyle windfarm and Kirk Hill.
What is APB?
With the support of its customers, ABP’s Ports of Scotland, Ayr and Troon, contribute £40 million to the UK economy every year.
Handles 650,000 tonnes of cargo every year
Handles 100,000 tonnes of timber every year, supporting local industry and manufacturing
Imports 200,000 tonnes of agribulks every year supporting local agriculture
About ABP (www.abports.co.uk)
ABP is the UK’s leading ports operator with 21 ports and other transport related businesses creating a unique national network capable of handling a vast array of cargo.
The company contributes £7.5 billion to the UK economy every year and supports 119,000 jobs. Our current investment programme promises to further increase our contribution to regional economies around the UK.
ABP's facts and figures
Handles over 1.5 million vehicles every year
Generates around one quarter of the UK’s rail freight
Has 1.4 million square metres of covered storage
Has 1000 hectares of open storage
Handles around 90 million tonnes of cargo each year
Owns 5000 hectares of port estate
Has 87km of quay
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References
- ^ Click here to sign up to our free newsletters! (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)
- ^ Billions of investment and thousands of jobs in focus (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)
- ^ King Charles pays visit to Port of Nigg (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)
- ^ here (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)