The UK government has announced a £55 million investment to expand the Port of Cromarty Firth in Scotland, aiming to establish the facility as a major hub for the floating offshore wind industry. This funding, provided through the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS), marks a significant step in the UK's renewable energy strategy.
The expansion will make Cromarty Firth the first UK port capable of manufacturing floating offshore wind turbines on-site at scale. The initial government backing will enable the port to attract additional investment, with operations expected to commence by the start of 2028. The construction phase is anticipated to create up to 320 jobs, with up to 1,000 skilled roles supporting the construction, installation, and ongoing operations of offshore wind projects when fully developed.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks commented: “Communities in Scotland and across the country should be powered by reliable, home-grown, clean energy from British coastlines. This is how we reduce our reliance on unstable fossil fuel markets and bring down energy bills for good. The UK is already a world leader in floating offshore wind, but this support for Cromarty Firth will take us even further—creating hundreds of jobs in Scotland and delivering energy security for the UK.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray added: “Scotland is a key part of making the UK a global leader in clean energy, and this investment is a significant vote of confidence in the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and the surrounding area.
Alex Campbell, CEO of the Port of Cromarty Firth, expressed optimism about the project: “We believe this confirmation by the UK Government shows the faith in our Trust Port status to deliver jobs and economic growth locally and nationally. The certainty from this announcement will unlock further investment in other ports across the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport to boost their complementary plans.
The £55.7 million grant is part of the government's broader strategy to ensure clean energy production by 2030. Additionally, the government introduced the Clean Industry Bonus to incentivize offshore wind developers to invest in cleaner supply chains and create jobs in industrial communities.
