Freeport milestone unlocks £25m investment for the Highlands

The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport[1] has reached a landmark moment in its development, marking a significant step towards establishing the Highlands as an international hub for offshore wind and renewable energy.

On 26 September, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Highland Council and Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, creating a formal framework for cooperation and shared responsibilities. The agreement unlocks ?25m in UK Government capital funding to accelerate the project.

The initiative is forecast to transform the Highland economy over the next 25 years, generating more than 11,000 long-term jobs and attracting over ?6.5bn of investment. The Freeport is expected to equip the regional workforce with future-focused skills while creating a sustainable industrial legacy for generations to come.

UK Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander described the agreement as a turning point: "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 ?25m 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 took place at Aurora Energy Services' new ?1.2m training facility in Inverness.

Opened earlier this year, the centre will train more than 2,000 workers annually for the renewables sector and is expected to become a crucial part of the supply chain underpinning the Freeport's ambitions.

References

1. ^ Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (greenfreeport.scot)