Council Leader welcomes Nigg funding boost

3rd May 2014

The Highland Council Leader Drew Hendry has warmly welcomed news that the Scottish Government has announced funding of £6.5 million towards the costs of developing a major new quayside at Nigg Energy Park to accommodate new trade oil and gas trade, including renewable energy developments.

He has also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd (MORL), who have consent to build the Moray Firth Offshore Wind Farm, and Global Energy Group, who run the Nigg facility.

The MoU will see the two companies enter into discussions on a wide variety of subjects in relation to the suitability of the Nigg Energy Park to build the recently consented Moray Firth Offshore Wind Farm, which has the potential to support up to 2,400 Scottish jobs during its construction and 330 through operations and maintenance.

Councillor Hendry said: “This is more great news for the Highlands, with the potential to generate long-term and high quality jobs. Nigg Energy Park is ideally located to capitalise on the huge potential presented by renewable energy, including the new offshore wind farm proposed by Moray Firth Offshore.

“These are exciting times for the people of the Highlands as the advantages of our region are being realised. This announcement further underlines why we have a huge opportunity to create an even more vibrant and sustainable economy that will be the envy of many other regions.”

The new £40.5 million Nigg development will offer more than 1,100 metres of available quayside with deepwater access for customers in the offshore oil and gas sector. It will also support the demand for large laydown areas and fabrication facilities for the renewables industry. It is anticipated the new facilities will lead to the fabrication of marine devices and heighten interest from the renewables supply chain to use Nigg for a mix of load in/load out and fabrication of key components, such as steel jacket foundations, towers and nacelles.

 

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