Wedoany.com Report-Jun 6, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has committed £24.26 million (approximately €28.81 million) to upgrade Kishorn Port in Scotland, enabling the production of floating wind foundations. The investment supports the port’s role in the growing renewable energy sector, particularly for offshore wind projects.

Kishorn Port

Alasdair Ferguson, Director of Kishorn Port Limited (KPL), stated: “With the quarry on site, Kishorn Port is ideally suited to concrete manufacturing of floating offshore wind sub-structures, with local content, laydown, marshalling, and long-term integration and assembly possible at the port as part of the wider project in the long-term.”

This funding is part of a broader £500 million (around €594 million) initiative by the Scottish government, spanning five years, to enhance ports and the offshore wind supply chain across the country. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “This is one of the most significant public investments in our port infrastructure in decades. It is crucial to ensuring Kishorn Port and the communities it supports can reap the benefits of the global renewables market. It is a clear signal from the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise that will give investors the confidence to invest millions more in the area’s wider infrastructure, economy and people.”

Kishorn Port features one of Europe’s largest dry dock openings, making it a key asset for large-scale renewable energy projects. The port previously supported the construction of the 48 MW Kincardine floating wind farm. The planned upgrades include expanding the dry dock and reclaiming land, which are expected to attract projects capable of supporting up to 1,500 jobs once fully developed.

HIE chief executive Stuart Black noted: “Offshore wind presents a massive opportunity for the Highlands and Islands and Kishorn is one of several ports that are at the heart of this. The facility has provided skilled jobs in a rural area for many decades and this is likely to grow significantly, which is vital to community resilience in a priority west coast location.” He added that the dry dock expansion and land reclamation will significantly boost the port’s capacity to contribute to Scotland’s renewable energy economy.

The upgrades position Kishorn Port as a hub for manufacturing and assembling floating wind foundations, supporting local employment and Scotland’s ambitions in the global renewable energy market.