An iconic Scots port has been given the backing of council chiefs over plans to turn its former oil fabrication yard into base for the renewable energy industry.
Once a fabrication yard for the growing oil and gas industry, the Ardersier port on Moray Firth is now looking to enter the renewables sector.
Now Highland Council has given planning consent to the plans to transform vacant 400 acre site at Ardersier into a new manufacuring and maintenance base for offshore wind projects.
The port’s operators are now waiting for the greenline from the government to begin developing the project and revitalising the Moray Firth site.
““This is a significant milestone for the Port of Ardersier,” said the port’s chief executive, Stephen Gobbi.
“Once all consents are in place we will be able to undertake major dredging which could enable the port to be open for business this year.
“There are few other deep water ports in the UK, or indeed Europe, which offer this quality and quantity of vacant land, a 1000 metre deep water quay and proximity to the major offshore wind development zones in the North Sea.”
Read full details of the project’s go-ahead in tomorrow’s Press and Journal, and watch our video interview with Captain Gobbi below.
