Global Energy Group (GEG) has announced that its Port of Nigg West Quay Deepwater Expansion project is poised to meet the growing demand for larger deepwater facilities in the United Kingdom, aimed at bolstering support for offshore renewables.
The project at the Scottish port has progressed to Stage 2 of the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council's (SOWEC's) Strategic Investment Model (SIM), signaling a significant step forward in its development.
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Iain Sinclair, Executive Director at Global Energy Group, underscored the pivotal role of Scotland's ports and harbors in advancing national net-zero and energy security objectives, particularly for offshore wind. Sinclair stated, “Being shortlisted to progress to the second stage of the SIM process is welcome confirmation of industry confidence in the Port of Nigg's strategic role in the industrialization of offshore wind.”
He added, “We look forward to working collaboratively with SOWEC's investor stakeholders, and all of our Ports and Harbors partners, to deliver the critical enabling infrastructure required to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind in the UK.”
The Port of Nigg, benefiting from significant investment exceeding £120 million by GEG, has already played a crucial role in supporting five major offshore wind projects in Scotland, totaling 2.6 gigawatts (GW).
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The proposed expansion aims to enhance Nigg's capacity to accommodate the evolving needs of offshore wind structures, including both fixed and floating installations, as well as larger installation vessels. A key aspect of the development is the establishment of an ultra-deep-water, sea-facing berth, positioning the Port of Nigg as one of the deepest ports in the UK.
The expansion will result in a substantial addition of 420 meters of quayside at Nigg, bringing the total quayside length to 1555 meters.
Stage 2 of the project focuses on providing assurance to shortlisted projects to make Final Investment Decisions, highlighting the commitment to advancing Scotland's offshore wind capabilities.
