£55m Government Grant to Boost Scotland’s Offshore Wind Sector

The UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has unveiled a £55m grant to advance Scotland’s floating offshore wind ambitions.

Awarded to the Port of Cromarty Firth, this funding makes the port the nation’s first facility capable of manufacturing floating offshore wind turbines on-site and at scale, marking a significant milestone for the industry.

This grant forms the initial phase of the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) and is anticipated to attract further private investment. With completion slated for 2028, the project is expected to generate a substantial economic boost.

During the construction phase, approximately 320 jobs are forecast to be created, while the operational period could support up to 1,000 roles across various disciplines, from construction and installation to ongoing maintenance of the wind turbines.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative, stating:

“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.

That’s why the government is getting on with building the infrastructure needed to roll out clean energy quickly, creating skilled local jobs in local communities and driving growth - the priority in our Plan for Change.

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”.

Alex Campbell, Chief Executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth, echoed these sentiments by emphasising the long-term economic and environmental benefits:

“The Port is delighted that FLOWMIS funding has been secured for our ambitious Phase 5 expansion, which is a critical step towards creating the UK’s first custom-built floating offshore wind integration port.

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, and that 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”.

As floating offshore wind technology continues to mature, initiatives such as FLOWMIS are set to cement the UK’s position as a global leader in renewable energy.

Wind energy services at Neale Consulting

Wind power has truly arrived, but like other forms of power generation, wind turbines are subject to the laws of entropy, being subject to various forms of wear and friction during operation.

To ensure your turbine fleet enjoys maximum uptime and reduced maintenance costs, it’s vital that you’re embedding engineering understanding and best practice throughout your operation and maintenance cycles.

To learn more about how Neale Consulting Engineers can assist with wind energy, get in touch today.