The Scottish port of Nigg has unveiled a new quay which it claims will be a gamechanger in its ability to handle renewable energy projects.
Nigg is on the Cromarty Firth in Scotland and for 50 years its fabrication yard has serviced the oil and gas industry.
Acquired by Global Energy Group in 2011, the port has since evolved to embrace the clean energy sector.
Now the new quay – which is 225m long and 50m wide – will enable the port to step-up its work in the floating offshore wind sector.
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“It will be a huge selling point for us when tendering for the next generation of floating offshore wind projects,” said Nigg’s facilities director Rory Gunn.
”The additional deep-water quayside allows us to do the fabrication and assembly of the floating hulls at the port’s South Quay area while the wind turbine integration onto the floating foundations is being conducted at the East Quay.”
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The port has some of the largest construction and assembly shops in Europe, a large dry dock, expansive laydown areas with high ground bearing capacity and deep water quayside, characteristics which the port believes make it “the principle Scottish port for supporting the renewables industry”.
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The multi-million-pound investment in the East Quay has been supported by Highlands & Islands Enterprise, and its chief executive Stuart Black said: “The Highlands and Islands region has many natural advantages for renewable energy development and the transition to a net zero economy, and our ports and harbours have a vital role to play.
“Port of Nigg has been a key player in the energy sector for many years, particularly in the growth of renewables. We are very pleased to have supported the development of this new facility, which will benefit the region’s economy for many years to come.”
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