Haventus has secured a £100m joint credit facility from the Scottish National Investment Bank and UK Infrastructure Bank to develop Ardersier Port in Scotland.
The banks will provide £50m investment each and follows a £300m capital commitment announced in 2023 by leading energy investment firm Quantum Capital Group, when Haventus began the redevelopment of the site.
The facility will underpin the creation of a nationally significant infrastructure hub to support industrial-scale deployment of fixed and floating offshore wind, said the port’s owner Haventus.
The company has taken a final investment decision and construction has now begun on the site, which includes the development of a new 650-metre quay wall and associated quayside.
Based in Scotland’s Moray Firth, Ardersier Port is ideally located to support offshore wind developers and manufacturers of components and equipment for the sector, as the circa 35GW of ScotWind and INTOG project pipeline is built out.
The news was welcomed by Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.
“Today’s announcement is a huge boost for Haventus’ plans to develop a nationally significant infrastructure facility to support industrial-scale development of fixed and floating offshore wind,” said ICFGF chief executive Calum MacPherson.
“It is great news for the Port of Ardersier and the Highlands and again underlines the growing confidence in the market and in Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport.”
As a tax site within the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, Ardersier Port will offer a 450-acre site with quayside access and suitable infrastructure for marshalling, integration, manufacturing, and assembly of offshore wind components. It will be the largest dedicated offshore wind deployment port facility in Scotland, capable of hosting and supporting gigawatt-scale projects, said Haventus.
Once operational, the quay will significantly increase the offshore wind port capacity, to support the transition to net zero, said the company. As one of the largest industrial regeneration projects in the Highlands in decades, the development will re-establish the port as a major local employer, supporting and creating hundreds of jobs, it added.
“We are delighted to have secured the support of the two banks as important partners in this nationally significant project,” said Haventus chief executive Lewis Gillies.
“With their support, and that of Quantum, Ardersier Port is poised to become a critical offshore wind hub and an important job creator and enabler. It will play a crucial role in helping the country meet its net zero ambitions.”
“With work now underway on site, we aim to have the facility open and operational in the second half of next year.
“This progress has been achieved in a very short period, due in large measure to the constructive engagement we have had with the Highland Council, our consenting agencies and regulators and government departments.”
Quantum Capital Group partner Michael MacDougall said: “Quantum is delighted that the banks have chosen to work alongside us. From the outset, we were impressed by their leadership, thought partnership, and diligent effort to help us deliver a facility that will create significant benefit in terms of regeneration, support for net zero transition, and creation of new employment.
“This project shows how private capital can work successfully with banks to provide critical infrastructure and in particular suitable facilities to support decarbonisation of Scotland and the UK.”
The two banks recognise the strategic significance of Ardersier Port in the renewables sector, and this is the first project to be financed between the two, which recently announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise their close working relationship on projects like this.
“We expect the site at Ardersier to be of significant strategic importance in supporting the growing offshore wind industry over the coming years,” said Scottish National Investment Bank chief executive Al Denholm.
“We are pleased to fund this development and to be doing so with the UK Infrastructure Bank. The project perfectly aligns to our net zero mission and illustrates the benefits of our two organisations working together.”
UK Infrastructure Bank chief executive John Flint said: “Vast investment is needed in port infrastructure by 2030 in order to fully realise the potential of offshore wind.
“This is a great opportunity to support this crucial sector, alongside the Scottish National Investment Bank, in what will be a nationally significant project for the UK energy transition, while also helping to grow the local Scottish economy.”
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney said: “Scotland’s growing offshore wind capabilities presents an era-defining opportunity – not only to achieve a just transition to net zero, but to harness the skills which lie across our energy sector and wider supply chain to create thousands of green jobs and transform our regional and national economies.
“The Ardersier Port redevelopment, which is central to the ambitions of the ground-breaking Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, exemplifies this opportunity.
“This show of support from both banks demonstrates the huge confidence in this new facility and its role in helping deliver a fairer, greener future for everyone.”
Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies said: “This latest deal in Scotland’s growing clean energy sector is another example of the UK Infrastructure Bank delivering on its mandate to tackle climate change and boost regional growth.
“Not only is this investment another important step towards our net zero transition, but it will support hundreds of jobs and grow the economy.”
UK Minister for Nuclear and Renewables Andrew Bowie MP said: “The UK has a record on offshore wind it can be truly proud of, with the most installed capacity in Europe and home to the five largest operational windfarms off our shores.
“Scotland is a pioneer in this important technology, and infrastructure investment of this size is a welcome boost to our clean energy targets, while supporting the local economy with new jobs and opportunities.”
UK Minister for Scotland John Lamont added: “It’s fantastic news that the first project to be financed between the UK Infrastructure Bank and Scottish National Investment Bank is the transformation of the Ardersier site into the largest dedicated offshore wind deployment port facility in Scotland.
“Working together with the private sector, the funding will deliver regeneration which will boost the UK’s path to net zero while supporting and creating hundreds of jobs, investing in skills and growing the economy.
“With this project, and as a tax site within the UK government-backed Inverness and Cromarty Firth freeport, Ardersier Port has an exciting future.
“I look forward to both banks working together again to help deliver further transformational projects.”