UK: Finance Secretary John Swinney Looks into Port of Ardersier Potential

Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney visited the Port of Ardersier last week to find out how the large deep-water port in the Highlands of Scotland could become a major centre for the UK’s offshore wind industry.

The fact-finding mission, hosted [on Monday April 22] by Port of Ardersier Chief Executive Stephen Gobbi, enabled Mr Swinney to hear first-hand about the employment opportunities Ardersier could bring to the Highland region.

With 138 hectares (340 acres) of vacant land and a 1000 metre long deep water quay, the purpose-built yard – located on the Moray Firth, 15 miles east of Inverness – is well placed to take a slice of the estimated £70-80 billion UK offshore wind construction market.

Last month, Highland Council publically backed the £4.5 billion Moray offshore wind farm, which is estimated could bring up to 3000 jobs to the region.

Mr Swinney had a tour of the site with Highland Council Leader Drew Hendry, convenor Jimmy Gray and Highlands and Islands Enterprise Chairman Lorne Crerar, together with a delegation of senior officials from organisations including Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland.

Commenting on the visit, Port of Ardersier CEO Stephen Gobbi said:

“It was an honour to welcome the Cabinet Secretary on a tour of the site.

“There are few other locations in the UK, or indeed Europe, which can offer this quality and quantity of vacant land, a 1000 metre deep water quay and proximity to the major offshore wind development zones, and we discussed this potential with Mr Swinney.

“We believe the Port of Ardersier offers offshore wind developers and manufacturers the opportunity to build and assemble turbines, towers and sub-sea foundations close to the first-generation deep water sites of Moray and Beatrice.”

Also last week [April 25], Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced a new £15 million fund to develop deep-water foundations for wind turbines.

The Scottish Innovative Foundation Technologies Fund will support the development of prototype foundations for offshore wind turbines sited in water more than 30 metres deep.

Mr Ewing said: “Offshore wind is one of the world’s most exciting clean-tech sectors where Scotland already plays a leading role.

“Scotland pioneered the world’s first deep-water offshore wind development and our innovation and offshore engineering expertise will play an increasingly important role as the industry moves to harness the wind further offshore – where both the energy resources and the technical challenges are greater.”

Welcoming the fund, Port of Ardersier Chief Executive Stephen Gobbi said:

“Innovative foundations will be critical in driving down the cost of offshore wind. The Port of Ardersier is a natural location for large-scale manufacture and we would welcome the opportunity to be involved in the development of new prototypes.”

[mappress]

Press release, April 29, 2013; Image: portofardersier

Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney visited the Port of Ardersier last week to find out how the large deep-water port in the Highlands of Scotland could become a major centre for the UK’s offshore wind industry.

The fact-finding mission, hosted [on Monday April 22] by Port of Ardersier Chief Executive Stephen Gobbi, enabled Mr Swinney to hear first-hand about the employment opportunities Ardersier could bring to the Highland region.

With 138 hectares (340 acres) of vacant land and a 1000 metre long deep water quay, the purpose-built yard – located on the Moray Firth, 15 miles east of Inverness – is well placed to take a slice of the estimated £70-80 billion UK offshore wind construction market.

Last month, Highland Council publically backed the £4.5 billion Moray offshore wind farm, which is estimated could bring up to 3000 jobs to the region.

Mr Swinney had a tour of the site with Highland Council Leader Drew Hendry, convenor Jimmy Gray and Highlands and Islands Enterprise Chairman Lorne Crerar, together with a delegation of senior officials from organisations including Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland.

Commenting on the visit, Port of Ardersier CEO Stephen Gobbi said:

“It was an honour to welcome the Cabinet Secretary on a tour of the site.

“There are few other locations in the UK, or indeed Europe, which can offer this quality and quantity of vacant land, a 1000 metre deep water quay and proximity to the major offshore wind development zones, and we discussed this potential with Mr Swinney.

“We believe the Port of Ardersier offers offshore wind developers and manufacturers the opportunity to build and assemble turbines, towers and sub-sea foundations close to the first-generation deep water sites of Moray and Beatrice.

Also last week [April 25], Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced a new £15 million fund to develop deep-water foundations for wind turbines.

The Scottish Innovative Foundation Technologies Fund will support the development of prototype foundations for offshore wind turbines sited in water more than 30 metres deep.

Mr Ewing said: “Offshore wind is one of the world’s most exciting clean-tech sectors where Scotland already plays a leading role.
“Scotland pioneered the world’s first deep-water offshore wind development and our innovation and offshore engineering expertise will play an increasingly important role as the industry moves to harness the wind further offshore – where both the energy resources and the technical challenges are greater.”

Welcoming the fund, Port of Ardersier Chief Executive Stephen Gobbi said:

“Innovative foundations will be critical in driving down the cost of offshore wind. The Port of Ardersier is a natural location for large-scale manufacture and we would welcome the opportunity to be involved in the development of new prototypes.”