£110million wind tower factory set to be built at Nigg as part of 'green recovery' project led by Global Energy Group
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The UK's largest wind tower manufacturing factory is set to be built at the Port of Nigg.
Backers say the £110 million Nigg Offshore Wind (NOW) facility will support more than 400 jobs in the region, providing 're-skilling' opportunities for oil and gas workers
They add it will be capable of producing 135 towers per year, creating a local supply chain that will be "the envy of Europe".
Construction is expected to begin in January and take 18 months to complete, with commercial production beginning in 2023.
Funding for the giant 450-metre-long factory is being provided by a syndicate which includes the UK and Scottish governments as well as the energy companies SSE Renewables and Mainstream Renewable Power.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "We need bold, collective action to tackle the global climate emergency, and the growth of our renewables sector over the next ten years will be truly transformative, helping to deliver a just transition to net zero and a greener, fairer future for us all.
"This significant investment in Scotland’s energy sector is testament to the skills, expertise and innovation within our industry.
"We are delighted to financially support this cutting-edge offshore wind towers facility, through Highlands & Islands Enterprise, as it reaches this significant milestone, that will deliver high value, green jobs and bring multiple benefits to communities across the Highlands and beyond while playing a pivotal role in delivering offshore renewables growth in Scotland and further afield."
The giant factory will be located at the Global Energy Group's Port of Nigg facility.
Tim Cornelius, CEO of GEG, said: "The Scottish and UK governments are looking for opportunities presented by the now inevitable energy transition from a dependency on hydrocarbons to clean and sustainable sources of energy, to create jobs and generate sustainable economic growth.
"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.
"The facility will also create more than 1000 indirect jobs in the Scottish and UK supply chain."
