The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF) has reached its final approval stage following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the UK Government, Scottish Government, Highland Council, and ICFGF, marking the formal launch of the initiative.
The agreement concludes a five-year process and unlocks £25 million in UK government funding, which will support infrastructure development across the freeport’s designated sites.
The Green Freeport is projected to generate more than £6.5 billion in investment over the next 25 years and create over 11,000 long-term jobs in the Highlands, according to ICFGF.
“This is truly a historic moment,” said Calum MacPherson, chief executive of ICFGF. “It reflects our shared ambition across governments and local partners to deliver jobs, investment and supply chain growth.”
The MoU was signed at Aurora Energy Services’ new £1.2 million training centre in Inverness, which is expected to provide skills training for up to 2,000 workers annually in the renewables sector.
The initiative has already helped attract significant private investment, including Sumitomo Electric’s £350 million subsea cable manufacturing facility at Nigg, scheduled to open in 2026 and create more than 150 local jobs.
In addition, the Ardersier Energy Transition Facility has secured a £100 million joint credit line and awarded contracts to over 110 local businesses, further supporting the region’s economic development.
“The Green Freeport will transform the economy of the Highlands, as well as playing a key role in our clean energy future,” said Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland.
Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes added that the initiative “aims to bring up to 11,300 jobs to the Highlands,” and emphasised that development would be aligned with fair work principles.
The Green Freeport includes three tax sites at Cromarty Firth, Ardersier and Inverness. The sites will offer tax and customs incentives aimed at attracting businesses involved in offshore wind, green hydrogen, and advanced manufacturing.
