‘Pivotal moment’ reached in plan to turn Scottish Freeport into offshore wind hub

The Green Freeport is designed to attract major investment by offering businesses located within its boundaries a package of tax benefits and other incentives. It has three tax sites: Cromarty Firth which includes Port of Nigg, Port of Cromarty Firth and Highland Deephaven; Ardersier which includes the Ardersier Energy Transition Facility; and Inverness which includes Port of Inverness, Aurora Energy Services and Inverness Campus. 

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) creating a formal framework for co-operation and responsibilities has been  signed between ICFGF, the UK and Scottish governments, and the Highland Council. 

The signing of the MoU – the final stage of a five-year planning process that will enable significant economic regeneration of the region – was attended by Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, and Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes. Councillor Raymond Bremner, Leader of the Highland Council, signed on behalf of the local authority, which will act as the accountable body responsible for overseeing the appropriate use of public funds and proper governance. 

The Scottish Secretary 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 £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.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes 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.”

Described as a ‘transformational, once in a generation opportunity’ for the Scottish Highlands, the facility will be critical to delivering the UK’s clean energy ambitions. 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 £6.5Bn of investment to build a legacy for future generations. 

Although the MoU completes the final stage of the set-up phase, ICFGF has already started to deliver and was an instrumental lever used to attract Sumitomo Electric Ltd (UK) to Port of Nigg. Its £350M subsea cable manufacturing facility will create more than 150 jobs when it opens next year.

The local and wider supply chain is seeing the benefit of the Green Freeport as construction work ramps up at key sites to develop facilities for future opportunities in offshore renewables. Ardersier Energy Transition Facility, which secured a £100M joint credit facility to create nationally significant infrastructure for industrial-scale deployment of fixed and floating offshore wind, has placed contracts with more than 110 local firms as part of the development.