Associated British Ports (“ABP”) has today announced a deal to investigate an area for the development of infrastructure to support offshore wind (“OSW”) manufacturing, assembly and marshaling and green energy on the Cromarty Firth in Scotland, within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (“the Green Freeport”).
Attractive Combination
The area, which lies within the proposed Nigg and Pitcalzean area of the Green 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. 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’s vision is to add to this compelling existing ecosystem to help maximize the delivery of investment, jobs and opportunity for the Cromarty Firth and the wider region.
Henrik Pedersen, CEO of ABP, 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…”
Integration Ports
The Floating Offshore Wind Task Force’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 c.£500 million investment in its port at Port Talbot in South Wales to act as a major FLOW construction facility. The company 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…”
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.
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Source: Abports
