Former SSE Renewables Managing Director to Become Chair of Green Freeport Bid Consortium

Former SSE Renewables managing director Jim Smith has agreed to take on the role of chair of Opportunity Cromarty Firth (OCF), the consortium leading the bid for Green Freeport status for the Inverness and Cromarty Firth area.

He will be the first person to take the position at the partnership, which includes three Highland ports and Inverness Airport, as well as private and public sector organisations and academic bodies.

Mr Smith held a number of senior management positions at SSE during a career spanning more than 30 years with the Perth-based energy giant.  

He headed SSE Renewables, which is currently leading construction of more wind energy than any other company in the world, from its creation, in 2018, until his retirement in April this year.

“This is an exciting time to be joining Opportunity Cromarty Firth and I am looking forward to working with all the partners that have united behind this important bid.”

“The Highlands are going to be at the heart of rapid development of the UK’s offshore wind industry for decades to come and whether the full benefits of that once-in-a-generation opportunity are realised locally and nationally will be determined by the Green Freeport decision.”

“The area is already in pole position in the sector and is the only Scottish location with the land space, facilities and experienced supply chain needed to deliver floating wind at the scale and speed to meet current targets and compete with established facilities abroad.”

Jim Smith