Partners Global Energy Group (GEG) and Haizea Wind Group (HWG) have been approved for grant funding through the UK government’s £160m Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support programme.
Subject to completion of due diligence, the funds will be used to build a new £110m turbine tower facility at Nigg Energy Park on the banks of Cromarty Firth in Ross-Shire, Scotland.
Nigg Offshore Wind (NOW) will be a 450-metre-long, 38,000 sq.metre factory built to supply the offshore wind industry – in the UK and abroad.
In addition to the grant, the NOW factory has received financial backing from a variety of investors, including SSE renewables, Mainstream renewable power and the Scottish government.
Kwasi Kwarteng, UK Business and Energy Secretary, said: “The UK is already a global leader in offshore wind with the largest installed capacity in the world, and by ensuring we have the manufacturing base to match, local workers and the supply chain can share in the sector’s success.
“This joint investment shows the strength of our Union as we tackle climate change together.
“We will see highly-skilled workers in Scotland produce key parts for a wind farm situated off the English coastline – delivering a greener future for Scotland and the UK.”
Malcolm Offord, UK Government Minister for Scotland, said: “This is a tremendous jobs boost for Easter Ross and the surrounding area. We have long been recognised for our expertise in the energy industry and now our skilled workforce is leading the way in our transition to a greener future.
“It’s especially fitting that this area, synonymous with the oil boom in the 1970s, is leading the way as we embrace new cleaner sources of power.
“This joint investment will not only safeguard existing jobs, it will create new ones as we journey towards Net Zero by 2050 and continue to build back better and greener from the pandemic.
Tim Cornelius, GEG chief executive, said: “The announcement today of a state-of-the-art tower rolling factory at the Port of Nigg can and will be a leading example of the ‘green recovery’ in action.
“It will create more than 400 direct long term, high-value jobs, and will offer our existing clients and new customers from around the world with the opportunity to buy ‘Scottish’ – meaning offshore wind developers can achieve their local content targets whilst helping the UK economy recover in a green and sustainable way.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Haizea who will bring their tower manufacturing expertise and knowledge to the Highlands of Scotland.”
Borja Zarraga, Haizea chief executive, added: “Haizea is delighted to be partnering with GEG to develop a state-of-the-art tower rolling facility at the Port of Nigg in Scotland.
“We are recognised as world leaders in tower rolling technology and the UK is an important market for us to operate in.
“We know how important local content is for our clients and customers, and I am very confident that when the GEG reputation for manufacturing excellence and the physical location of the Port of Nigg is combined with our experience, client base, track record and know-how, we will together deliver best-in-class, cost competitive towers to the fixed and floating offshore wind market for many years to come.”
Image credit: GEG
Read next: Eight energy megaprojects under construction in the UK
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
