About
Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport is a partnership of organisations working together to create a a Green Freeport in the Highlands.
The primary objective is to maximise the local benefits from a pipeline of renewable energy projects which will create business opportunities and employment, attract inward investment, research and development, and position the Highlands at the heart of the country’s commitment to becoming a net-zero economy.
The creation of the Green Free Port, is part of the UK Government’s post-Brexit economic growth strategy.
The ambition is for ‘Free Trade Zones’ to promote international trade, investment, regeneration and innovation.
’Free Trade Zones’ will have a vital role in sustaining and growing the UK’s manufacturing base, with a particular focus on the advanced manufacturing of low carbon technologies – including offshore wind, oil & gas decarbonisation and hydrogen production. This is aligned to the UK and Scotland’s net-zero obligations and skills agenda, with increasing investments in research & development and workforce training.
Cromarty Firth represents the ideal location to establish a free trade zone. The area is steeped in industrial history, having supported North Sea oil & gas activity since the ’70s and is now playing a critical role in the Scottish offshore wind sector.
The Firth hosts a number of leading supply chain companies as well as a locally skilled workforce with essential engineering experience. This is coupled with first-class port infrastructure and manufacturing facilities, which have benefitted from over £110m of industry-led investments in the past 10 years.
Our location in the North of Scotland and reliance on the now maturing North Sea oil & gas market highlights the requirement for transformational regional support.
Creating a free trade zone in the Cromarty Firth will help create and secure a sustainable pipeline of supply chain opportunities in the development of low carbon technologies while bringing major regeneration to the Scottish Highlands.
Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport
UHI House, Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3JH
Phone: 0333 091 1985 | Email: [email protected]
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