The UK and Scottish governments today jointly announced support for two new green freeports in Scotland.
Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport have been successful in their bids, which were jointly assessed by the UK and Scottish governments, and will each receive up to GBP 26 million (USD 31.6m/EUR 29.3m) in UK government funding over the next few years.
The Forth Green Freeport will focus on renewables manufacturing, alternative fuels, carbon capture utilisation and storage and shipbuilding, as well as the creation of a new creative hub. It aims to attract up to GBP 6 billion in investment and create 50,000 jobs.
The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport will focus on floating offshore wind, nuclear and hydrogen. It aims to mobilise GBP 4.8 billion in investment and create 25,000 jobs.
“In extending the benefits of freeports to Scotland, we are unleashing the potential of the Firth of Forth and Inverness and Cromarty Firth – backing the delivery of thousands of high-quality green jobs for future generations, as we continue to make gains on our commitments to transition to net zero,” said UK prime minister Rishi Sunak.
A trio of floating offshore wind developers, Ørsted A/S (CPH:ORSTED), Renantis, previously Falck Renewables, and BlueFloat Energy welcomed the awarding of green freeport status to Opportunity Cromarty Firth they became members of in 2022.
The trio is developing the Stromar floating offshore wind project up to 1 GW off Scotland’s northeastern coast. BlueFloat Energy and Renantis are also together developing the up-to-1.2 GW Bellrock and Broadshore floating wind projects. The latter project originally had a seabed lease agreed for up to 500 MW, which has been increased to 900 MW due to the use of larger turbines, the companies explained.
“The Cromarty Firth is a tremendous location with a great track record in fabrication and manufacturing. It also has the space and facilities to assemble floating offshore wind farms at scale and we are very excited about the benefits Green Freeport status will bring to the area,” said Broadshore project director Tom Hudson.
(GBP 1 = USD 1.215/EUR 1.128)
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Overview of the Cromarty Firth. Image by the Port of Cromarty (www.pocf.co.uk)
