Port support for WindEurope

The Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) follows in the footsteps of other European ports, including Port of Esbjerg and Port of Amsterdam, in joining the ‘voice of the wind industry’. Earlier this month, the renewable-energy-focused port announced it was a partner in the North of Scotland Hydrogen Programme that aims to develop a green hydrogen hub in the Cromarty Firth to help Scotland advance its hydrogen technology.

Bob Buskie, chief executive of PoCF, said: “We are delighted to have joined WindEurope and are looking forward to sharing our expertise with like-minded professionals from across Europe.

“Scotland is leading the way in offshore wind energy, and we believe that the Cromarty Firth can be the standard bearer as the industry grows. We continue to make significant investments into the Port’s infrastructure as we align ourselves with the ever-evolving nature and requirements of the industry.”

Key enablers

Ports are key enablers to the growth of the wind industry. In this context, WindEurope’s Offshore Wind Ports Platform offers a forum for ports to discuss challenges and opportunities and exchange best practice and know-how.

PoCF is set to bolster the group’s expertise as it remains at the forefront of Scotland’s offshore wind sector following over GB£50m of investment over the past seven years.

A new 218m quayside and 45,000sqm laydown area expansion is set to support hundreds of jobs as the port reasserts its position as a major player in Scotland’s future pipeline of offshore renewable energy developments. The port is in a prime location to capitalise on the growing offshore wind industry, with the Cromarty Firth within close proximity to 14 of the 15 proposed project sites identified in Scotland’s seabed leasing round for future offshore wind projects – named ScotWind.

Along with Highlands & Island Enterprise and Global Energy Group, PoCF is also a founding partner of DeepWind; Scotland’s supply chain cluster of excellence in deep water offshore wind energy.