Ardersier Port has received an initial £300m investment commitment to drive its redevelopment and transformation into an energy transition facility.
Investment into the former McDermott construction yard is being made by Quantum, a US investment firm that provides private capital to the energy industry. The funds will accelerate work that has already begun to redevelop the port and unlock its potential to support the deployment of offshore wind installations and the decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure in the North Sea.
Redeveloping the port’s infrastructure and significantly extending its quay to realise the 450 acres of un-utilised operating area should provide capacity and services to the offshore wind energy industry and the North Sea decommissioning programme.
The scale and project timeline for the ScotWind programme, some 28 GW of offshore generation capacity to be deployed in the next decade, demands major additional port capacity, according to the Floating Wind Offshore Wind Taskforce. Clearing the North Sea of redundant oil and gas platforms will involve over 1.3 million tonnes of infrastructure being brought onshore over the next decade, according to Offshore Energies UK’s Decommissioning Insight report 2022.
The redevelopment of the port just east of Inverness is also aimed at reviving its position as a major local employer. It is anticipated that thousands of construction jobs could be created, in addition to the ongoing employment opportunities for deployment, and subsequent maintenance, of the offshore wind fleet and decommissioning of redundant North Sea assets.
As part of the changes, Lewis Gillies has been made chief executive of Haventus, Ardersier Port’s parent company.
“It is a privilege to be asked to take on the role of CEO,“ he commented. “The investment will bring jobs and growth to the Highlands economy.
“I am delighted to return to Scotland to lead this important project and look forward to working with Tony, Steve, and team to achieve Ardersier’s potential.”
Steve Regan and Tony O’Sullivan, founders of Ardersier Port, said: “This investment by Quantum and securing the appointment of a CEO of Lewis’ calibre is a clear endorsement of our vision for Ardersier Port to transform a national asset into a key energy transition facility.”
Drew Hendry, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, said: “Ardersier Port is a key site that has lain dormant for too long, so it is great news to see this commitment and such a significant investment being made, especially as it is another big contribution towards the just transition to renewables from the Highlands.
“The plans cannot be underestimated in terms of the potential for jobs and strengthening the local economy; it also further underlines the attractiveness of the Highlands as the place for the future of energy."
Michael MacDougall, partner at Quantum, said: “The site’s scale and geographical location means it is ideally positioned to become a leading European hub for offshore renewable energy.
“Lewis Gillies brings exceptional knowledge and experience, and cares deeply about the energy transition opportunity ahead for Scotland and the UK.”
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