The UK Government has awarded a £55 million grant to the Port of Cromarty Firth in Scotland to support the next phase of its expansion, which aims to facilitate floating offshore wind farms. This grant marks the first of two funding awards under a government initiative launched in 2023 to develop port infrastructure for the growing floating wind sector.

Situated on the northeastern coast of Scotland, near Inverness, the Port of Cromarty Firth has long been a key player in supporting offshore industries, initially oil and gas and, more recently, offshore wind. The port’s deep, sheltered waters make it an ideal location for accommodating large ships, which is crucial for transporting and assembling wind farm components.

The expansion project will focus on enhancing the port's laydown area and providing space for construction, installation, and operational support for floating wind farms. Components for these projects will be manufactured across the UK, with Cromarty Firth serving as the central hub for assembly and pre-commissioning of floating turbines, which will then be towed to their designated wind farm sites.

Port officials have outlined plans to transform Cromarty Firth into the UK’s first custom-built integration hub for floating offshore wind construction. This development is seen as critical to meeting the growing demand for infrastructure to support the next phase of the offshore wind sector.

While the UK remains the leader in offshore wind energy within Europe, China has surpassed it in terms of total installed capacity. The UK government has committed to strengthening its position in the global market by focusing on floating wind farms as the industry’s next frontier. The government’s strategy includes significant investments aimed at accelerating the development of floating wind technology.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero launched the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) to help meet the port infrastructure needs of the floating wind sector. The £55 million grant was awarded to the Invergordon-based Trust, which operates the Port of Cromarty Firth, to fund its expansion plans. The grant will also enable the port to secure additional matching funds from banks and investors.

In addition, the grant will allow the port to begin the process of awarding pre-construction contracts for the expansion project, which must be completed by 2027 in order to support the first commercial-scale floating wind projects.

Port Talbot in Wales was also selected for the FLOWMIS program, with development plans currently underway for the site. Located on Swansea Bay, Port Talbot will play a significant role in the UK’s efforts to expand its offshore wind capacity.

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