Forth Green Freeport unlocks £25m in UK government funding

Forth Green Freeport has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK and Scottish governments, unlocking GBP25 million of seed capital funding to support industrial regeneration and clean energy development across central Scotland. The agreement releases UK government funding that will be match funded by project leads, taking initial investment in the freeport area to more than GBP50m, according to the freeport consortium. The funding is intended to prepare key port sites in Edinburgh, Fife and Falkirk to attract investors and move priority projects into delivery.

The former Conservative government selected the Forth Green Freeport bid in 2023 alongside the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport[1]. The private-public partnership includes the likes of Forth Ports[2], Babcock, INEOS, Edinburgh Airport, construction group Scarborough Muir and local councils.

(C) Supplied by Inch CapeMonopiles for the Inch Cape offshore wind project arrive at the Port of Leith, part of the Forth Green Freeport.

A detailed economic impact assessment commissioned by Forth Green Freeport has projected that the initiative could generate GBP7.9 billion of private and public investment over the next decade and increase gross value added by GBP8.1bn. The analysis suggested that up to 34,500 jobs could be supported, including around 16,000 direct roles within the freeport's target sectors.

Forth Green Freeport progress

The MoU was signed at the Port of Leith, with representatives from the UK and Scottish governments, local authorities and the freeport consortium in attendance.

Dame Susan Rice, chair of Forth Green Freeport, said the agreement will help attract "significant inward investment". UK government minister Kirsty McNeill said the freeport would play a role in supporting economic growth in central Scotland and in the UK's clean energy ambitions, supported by government funding and tax incentives. "This is a pivotal moment in the UK Government's mission to boost economic growth right across Scotland," McNeill said.

(C) Supplied by Forth Ports GroupForth Ports Group is planning a floating offshore wind integration facility at the Port of Burntisland in Fife.

"The Forth Green Freeport will transform the economy of Central Scotland, as well as playing a key role in our clean energy future."

Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the initiative aimed to attract further public and private investment and support jobs linked to net zero ambitions. "This milestone is the culmination of years of partnership working to transform the region, including the Grangemouth industrial cluster, by attracting billions of further public and private investment," Forbes said. "Forth Green Freeport will bring well-paid jobs, regeneration and make significant steps towards achieving Scotland's net zero ambitions."

Forth Green Freeport became operational in June 2024 following approval of its tax sites, which span Grangemouth, Leith, Rosyth and Burntisland.[3][4][5]

The consortium submitted its full business case in September 2024[6], with approval granted in November 2025 ahead of the MoU signing in January 2026.

Priority projects identified for seed capital support include a rail freight feasibility study at the Port of Rosyth, an integrated energy system linked to manufacturing at Rosyth, and early development of the Arrol Gibb Innovation Campus focused on offshore wind, energy transition and shipbuilding sectors

References

1. ^ selected the Forth Green Freeport bid in 2023 alongside the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (www.energyvoice.com)
2. ^ Forth Ports (www.forthports.co.uk)
3. ^ Leith (www.energyvoice.com)
4. ^ Rosyth (www.energyvoice.com)
5. ^ Burntisland. (www.energyvoice.com)
6. ^ submitted its full business case in September 2024 (www.energyvoice.com)