- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by UK and Scottish governments, Highland Council and ICFGF completes five-year process
- Agreement unlocks £25m of UK Government funding to support local port infrastructure projects
- The Green Freeport will support skills growth and targets delivery of over 11,000 long-term, well-paid jobs for the Highlands
Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF) will today (26 September 2025) reach a historic milestone in establishing the Highlands a major international hub for the offshore wind and renewable energy sector. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) creating a formal framework for co-operation and responsibilities will be signed between ICFGF, the UK and Scottish governments, and the Highland Council.
The official signing of the MoU – the final stage of a five-year planning process that will enable significant economic regeneration of the region – was attended by Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, and Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes. Councillor Raymond Bremner, Leader of the Highland Council, signed on behalf of the local authority, which will act as the accountable body responsible for overseeing the appropriate use of public funds and proper governance.
The agreement unlocks £25m in funding from the UK Government which ICFGF will use to support delivery of significant infrastructure projects at its partner ports. These developments will help strengthen their world-class facilities for the offshore energy sector.
ICFGF represents a transformational, once in a generation opportunity for the Highlands and will be critical to delivering the UK’s clean energy ambitions. 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 will attract over £6.5b of investment to build a legacy for future generations.
The signing of the MoU took place at Aurora Energy Services’ recently opened £1.2m training facility in Inverness. Aurora, which is headquartered in one of ICFGF’s designated tax sites, has seen significant expansion across the UK and internationally because of the fast-growing renewables sector. The new centre will train more than 2,000 workers for the sector every year and will become a valuable part of the supply chain needed to deliver ICFGF’s ambition.
Although the MoU completes the final stage of the set-up phase, ICFGF has already started to deliver and was an instrumental lever used to attract Sumitomo Electric Ltd (UK) to Port of Nigg. Its £350m 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 secured a £100m 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.”
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. We’re proving that the Highlands can compete – and win – on the international stage.”
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 designed to attract major investment by offering businesses located within its boundaries a package of tax benefits and other incentives. It has three tax sites: Cromarty Firth which includes Port of Nigg, Port of Cromarty Firth and Highland Deephaven; Ardersier which includes the Ardersier Energy Transition Facility; and Inverness which includes Port of Inverness, Aurora Energy Services and Inverness Campus.
Together, these sites form a powerful cluster of assets driving the Highlands’ role in the global renewables supply chain. ICFGF has robust governance measures in place, and landowners have strengthened obligations in place around fair terms of work and environmental protections.