Highlands in Line for Multi-product Manufacturing Facility for Offshore Renewables

To meet the requirements of Scotland’s burgeoning offshore renewables sector, Global Energy Group (GEG) has announced a milestone at the Port of Nigg and the proposed development of a rolled tubular manufacturing facility at the site.

The proposal will create a majority UK owned and operated manufacturing rolling facility, with GEG proposed as majority operator of the site. The announcement highlights GEG’s commitment to the enhanced rolled multi-product demand in the area. Working with strategic partners, the company is developing a revised business case as primary operator of the site, with a combined focus on supporting both the development of floating offshore wind technology as well as wind turbine towers.

It is anticipated that The Cromarty Firth and Port of Nigg will play a critical role in providing the manufacturing skills and knowhow in order to deliver renewables technology required following the ScotWind leasing for offshore wind farms, as well as the development of the Freeport and the forthcoming Crown Estates INTOG leasing round. Preparatory work on the site has already begun with the demolition of existing workshops and space creation.

GEG Chairman, Roy MacGregor, said:

“We are fully committed to developing the offshore wind supply chain and establishing a world class manufacturing facility for rolled steel products at the Port of Nigg. This is an exciting opportunity to ensure supply chain opportunities are delivered locally to the benefit of the local economy and we believe that with the support of government and industry partners we have the right team and skills in place to develop the manufacturing site.”

Net Zero & Energy Secretary Michael Matheson said:

“I warmly welcome this announcement by Global Energy Group to strengthen our domestic supply chain capacity, by developing manufacturing facilities at the Port of Nigg. Working alongside our Enterprise Agencies, the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring our domestic supply chain is given all available opportunities to capitalise on the growth of the offshore renewables sector, sustaining existing skilled jobs and delivering new ones."

“Offshore wind is rapidly becoming one of the cheapest forms of electricity and Scotland has some of the most extensive renewable generation capabilities in Europe. ScotWind puts Scotland at the forefront of the global development of offshore wind and represents a massive step forward in our transition to net zero. Developers have committed to invest more than £25bn across the 17 Scotwind offshore wind projects."

“The Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council’s Collaborative Framework Charter, demonstrates developers’ commitment to collaborate to create supply chain work within Scotland and I look forward to this momentum continuing in the years ahead.”

Paul Cooley, Director of Offshore Wind - Global, SSE Renewables, added:

“SSE Renewables is continuing to work with Global Energy Group to deliver a world leading tower facility at Port of Nigg, including support funding to make it happen. We look forward to working with GEG to bring forward these revised plans over the coming period and to fulfilling our role as a strategic backer, placing orders to meet our growing offshore pipeline in due course.”