The Opportunity Cromarty Firth (OCF) bid is a collaboration of more than a dozen organisations representing industry, academia and the public sector around the Easter Ross and Inverness area.
The aim is to stimulate transformational regeneration through economic activity in manufacturing, and from local and inward investment, innovation, skills development and employment.
The OCF area has been highlighted as the main location for the UK to benefit from floating wind manufacturing.
Reacting to the news, HIE’s chief executive Stuart Black, said:
“We congratulate Opportunity Cromarty Firth (OCF) on their successful bid. This is fantastic news.
“Our collective belief in the region and the key ports’ capacity and capability to play an essential role in offshore wind and green hydrogen delivery has been confirmed by the dedication, commitment and resolve shown by the bid partners. This paves the way for even greater industry collaboration. The consortium’s physical assets, natural resources, experienced supply chain, and can-do people have proven to be a winning combination that can lead to future success.
“The Highlands and Islands will play a critical role in meeting the challenging net zero targets at both Scotland and UK levels. Green freeport status for the Cromarty Firth will be a huge asset, driving collaboration between industry, academia and the public sector to stimulate transformational regeneration through economic activity, investment, innovation and skills development.
“It will attract large-scale manufacturing and create thousands of green jobs that complement the skills of the local workforce and accelerate Scotland’s and the UK’s progress to achieving net zero targets.
“A green freeport will also build on recent significant investments made in ports and harbours across the region and the historic and ongoing strengths here in energy, engineering and life sciences.
“It will be a key enabler for supply chains of the future, rapidly accelerating domestic manufacturing capacity in an area with a long-standing industrial heritage.
“We very much look forward to our region working in partnership with OCF, as we seek to secure maximum socio-economic impact, not just around the Cromarty Firth and Inverness but throughout many parts of the Highlands and Islands.”
Related Articles
Enterprise agencies welcome Sumitomo milestone as ground is broken on £350m factory project
Enterprise agencies welcome Sumitomo milestone as ground is broken on £350m factory project
Industry and public sector promote vital role of childcare for Skye
Partnership supports childcare career development in Skye
Hyundai MoU could benefit Highlands and Islands
The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Scotland’s enterprise agencies and the world’s largest shipbuilding company could bring economic benefits for the Highlands and Islands.
Update on Cairngorm funicular remedial works
A programme of remedial works to bring Scotland’s only funicular railway back into service at Cairngorm Mountain is entering a new phase during week beginning Monday 15 April.
HIE accredited for carbon literacy
HIE awarded silver accreditation for progress in becoming carbon literate.
£30k award for community arts project
The Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands exhibition has been created by communities across the region as part of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands Project.
Nairn social enterprise thinks big over plastic waste
Green Hive's new machinery boosts income opportunities.
Glenfinnan hotel to improve energy efficiency and cut carbon
The owners have secured up to £175,900 investment from HIE towards the works, which will help boost annual turnover and support local jobs.
£24.5m to secure £350m inward investment
Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd plans to establish major operations in the region, supplying high voltage cables to the growing offshore wind energy sector.