The UK government has revealed that it would be investing $71m to create a major floating wind hub in the Port of Cromarty Firth in Scotland.
Offshore wind projects have been deemed crucial to delivering the UK’s mission for clean power by 2030 and to become a clean energy superpower.
The country is already home to the largest grid-connected floating offshore wind farm in the world, with a further 30GW in the pipeline, and, according to the UK government, wind generated more power than gas in 2024.
The expansion of Port of Cromarty Firth will make it the first port able to make floating offshore wind turbines on-site and at scale in the UK. The expansion will be backed by a grant from the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme.
Apart from government backing, the port will look to secure match-funding from other investors, with the port expected to become operational by the start of 2028.
Construction work on the port’s expansion is expected to create up to 320 jobs. When fully developed, the port is expected to support up to 1,000 skilled jobs in the construction, installation, and operational support of offshore and floating offshore wind – such as crane operators, marine engineers, and people working on the vessels towing the turbines out to sea.
“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,” Scottish secretary, Ian Murray, said.
The Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme was launched in 2023, designed to provide grants to ports to support development of port infrastructure needed for the deployment of floating offshore wind at scale.
The Port of Cromarty Firth is one of two ports selected for funding, with plans for the second shortlisted port, Port Talbot, under development.
“This funding will transform the Port of Cromarty Firth into the UK’s first industrial hub for floating offshore wind, kickstarting a new industry making turbines over 250 meters tall on platforms the size of football pitches,” RenewableUK’s director of industrial development Luke Clark said in a separate announcement.
He added that the country needs to upgrade eleven ports and build new supply chains around the UK to capitalise on the huge pipeline of projects.
“Floating wind has enormous potential, as it enables us to build projects further out to sea where wind speeds are much stronger and even more consistent. By 2050, floating turbines could provide a third of the UK’s offshore wind capacity with 40 gigawatts fully operational – enough to power every home in the country,” he added.
Energy News Beat