The UK and Scottish Governments have confirmed that Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport have been successful in their bids for Freeport status.
Supported by up to £52 million in UK Government funding, the new sites are expected to bring forward an estimated £10.8 billion of private and public investment and create over 75,000 new, high-skilled jobs.
Bidding opened earlier this year and consortiums submitted their bids for their share of the cash, which were jointly considered by the UK and Scottish Governments.
As part of the process, the successful locations had to demonstrate to officials and Ministers from both governments how they would regenerate local communities, deliver decarbonisation, establish hubs for global trade and foster an innovative environment to support levelling up.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “In extending the benefits of freeports to Scotland, we are unleashing the potential of the Firth of Forth and Inverness and Cromarty Firth — backing the delivery of thousands of high-quality green jobs for future generations, as we continue to make gains on our commitments to transition to net zero.”
The Forth Green Freeport will have a focus on renewables manufacturing, alternative fuels, carbon capture utilisation and storage and shipbuilding, as well as the development of a new creative hub.
The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport will concentrate on floating offshore wind, nuclear and hydrogen. An expansion of the Inverness Campus and Powerhouse is also planned, along with proposals to deliver innovation and skills support.
Both Green Freeports are expected to become operational in late 2023.
The news has not, however, been universally welcomed. The national trade association for ports, the British Ports Association (BPA), has warned of the need for a level playing field to ensure that no port or coastal community is left behind.
Stuart Cresswell, Chairman of the Scottish Ports Group, which is part of the BPA, said: “We are therefore pressing the UK and Scottish Governments to further extend the benefits of Green Freeports to maintain a fair and competitive market. From planning to taxation, there are plenty of tools available to help stimulate our coastal economies and the new Investment Zones concept could well be the driver for change.”
