Sign off at Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport
The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport has reached a historic milestone in its journey towards cementing the Highlands as a major international hub for the offshore wind and renewable energy sector. A memorandum of understanding (MoU), formalising a partnership for delivering this vision, was signed (on 26/09/2025) by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Highland Council and Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport. Crucially, the signing unlocks £25 million of UK Government seed funding, which will be used to support local infrastructure projects in its partner ports. These developments will help strengthen the region’s world-class facilities for the offshore energy sector.
The Green Freeport will support employment growth and skills development in the Highlands. Over the next 25 years, it is poised to create more than 11,000 long-term jobs and a workforce equipped with future-ready skills. It is expected to attract over £6.5 billion of investment and build a legacy for future generations.
The signing took place at Aurora Energy Services’ recently-opened £1.2 million training facility in Inverness. The new centre will train more than 2,000 workers for the renewables sector every year and will become a valuable part of the supply chain needed to deliver the Freeport’s ambition.
Although the MoU marks the final stage of setting up the Green Freeport, ICFGF has already started to deliver and was instrumental in attracting Sumitomo Electric Ltd (UK) to Port of Nigg. Its £350 million subsea cable manufacturing facility will create more than 150 highly skilled local jobs when it opens next year.
The local and wider supply chain is seeing the benefit of the Green Freeport as construction work ramps up at key sites to develop facilities for future opportunities in offshore renewables. Ardersier Energy Transition Facility, which has secured a £100 million joint credit facility to create nationally significant infrastructure for industrial-scale deployment of fixed and floating offshore wind, has placed contracts with more than 110 local firms as part of the development.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “This is a pivotal moment in the UK Government’s mission to boost economic growth in all parts of the UK. The Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport will transform the economy of the Highlands, as well as playing a key role in our clean energy future. Supported by £25m of UK Government investment, and a range of UK Government tax incentives, this important collaboration between governments and local partners will deliver thousands of high-quality jobs and attract billions in investment.
“This is a time to look ahead with optimism, while also reflecting on all that we have already achieved to deliver jobs, investment and supply chain growth. We’re proving that the Highlands can compete – and win – on the international stage.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “With its focus on the renewable and low-carbon energy industries, Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport aims to bring up to 11,300 jobs to the Highlands aligning with the Scottish Government’s flagship Fair Work First policy.
“This signing marks an exciting milestone as we enter the delivery phase which will bring more business to the region, following on from significant investments we’ve already seen including the Sumitomo subsea cable plant at Nigg and the Haventus energy transition facility at Ardersier.
“It is fitting that during Scotland’s National Innovation Week we are opening the door for more companies to innovate in green industries, bringing further regeneration to the Highlands and taking steps to achieving Scotland’s net zero ambitions.”
Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, said: “This Green Freeport is demonstrating the pivotal role Scottish communities are playing in building Britain’s clean energy future. Today’s milestone will help them go even further. Creating thousands of jobs and bringing in billions in investment, it’s exactly the kind of success story we want to see right across the country.”
Calum MacPherson, Chief Executive of ICFGF, said: “This is truly a historic moment for the Green Freeport. Today’s milestone has been possible because of the shared ambition of many organisations to deliver positive change for the economic prosperity of the Highlands, for our young people and future generations, and for the health of our planet. Their tenacity has brought us here today, and their determination will keep us moving forward at pace.
“This is a time to look ahead with optimism, while also reflecting on all that we have already achieved to deliver jobs, investment and supply chain growth.”
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Raymond Bremner, said: “Today is a landmark moment for the Highlands, Scotland, and the UK. The signing of this MoU is a powerful signal of shared ambition and belief in our region’s future.
“Our vision is bold: a globally competitive hub for floating offshore wind, green hydrogen, and advanced manufacturing. But it’s also about our people – ensuring benefits reach communities from Wick to Inverness, and investing in skills, housing, and opportunity.”
The Green Freeport is part of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Zones (ISZs) programme. ISZs were announced in the Modern Industrial Strategy in June 2025 and brought Freeports, Investment Zones and Enterprise Zones under a shared banner. ISZs have been placed at the centre of the Government’s growth mission with a key role in attracting investment in the UK’s priority sectors, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, life sciences, digitally enabled creative industries and defence.
Find out more about the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport by visiting the website.