FLOWMIS favours Port of Cromarty Firth’s renewables expansion plan
The UK Government has announced today (March 19, 2024) that the Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) is one of two ports set to benefit from the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS).
Over £50 million has been earmarked for PoCF’s forthcoming Phase 5 expansion, which will see the port expand its facilities and infrastructure for the north of Scotland’s fast-growing renewables sector.
The Port is now just one step away from securing FLOWMIS funding, having made it to the primary list phase of the scheme alongside Port Talbot in South Wales.
Bob Buskie, chief executive of PoCF, welcomed today’s FLOWMIS announcement.
He said: “We are absolutely delighted to be one of two ports chosen nationally to progress to the next stage of this funding scheme.
“The offshore wind industry has made it clear that Port of Cromarty Firth is critical to the forthcoming large-scale expansion of the offshore wind industry, which is needed to deliver national energy security and net-zero commitments.
“Developers supported the Port in the region’s bid to become one of Scotland’s two Green Freeports and, earlier this year, selected the Phase 5 expansion as one of three Scottish projects chosen to progress in the SOWEC Strategic Investment Model (SIM).
“The proposed expansion, along with the SIM and the Green Freeport, will catalyse economic growth and create year-round jobs in green energy for many decades.
“Today’s announcement will provide certainty for offshore wind developers that the infrastructure they need will be ready in time to deliver their projects and will hopefully now unlock the other elements of the financial plan necessary to meet the Government’s due diligence requirements so that construction can begin.”
The support of FLOWMIS, SIM and the winning Green Freeport bid cement PoCF’s position as the leading renewable energy hub in the UK, driving innovation forward and ensuring the infrastructure is in place to support the region’s growing renewables sector.
Andrew Bowie, the UK minister for nuclear and renewables, added: “FLOWMIS will ensure we continue to be at the forefront of this new technology and today’s progress signals our continued efforts across the renewables sector to support jobs, bring down bills in the long-term and provide cheaper, more secure energy for Britain.”
FLOWMIS was launched in 2023 as part of the UK Government’s Powering Up Britain plans. The scheme will fund the infrastructure necessary to support the integration and assembly of wind turbines – including port expansion which will allow large storage and work on the large components such as towers, blades, steel and concrete foundations, and mooring cables required for offshore wind.
