The port of Cromarty Firth in Scotland will receive GBP55 million (USD71 million) in funding from the UK government to support expansion.
The expansion of the port of Cromarty Firth will make it the first port in the UK able to make floating offshore wind turbines on site and at scale in the UK, backed by a grant from the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS). This initial financial backing from the UK government paves the way for the port to secure match-funding from other investors, with the port expected to become operational by the start of 2028.
Energy minister Michael Shanks said: “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.”
The port’s deep, sheltered waters are suited to accommodating the large ships which will deliver the major components required for offshore wind, such as the towers, blades, steel or concrete floating foundations. Once received onto Quay West and new Phase 5 laydown area, the floating turbines will be assembled and pre-commissioned, before being towed to the wind farm site.
