The Port of Cromarty Firth in Inverness has taken a significant step forward in its ambitious £111 million Phase 5 expansion project by appointing civil engineering firm RJ McLeod to lead pre-construction operations.
This pivotal development aims to transform the port’s existing 9-hectare Quay West facility into a crucial hub for the emerging offshore wind industry, particularly supporting the construction and deployment of fixed-bottom and floating wind farms in the North Sea.
Under a £1.5 million agreement, RJ McLeod will be responsible for all preparatory tasks ahead of the main construction phase. This includes completing detailed design work, formulating a comprehensive construction timeline, and planning procurement of key materials. The company, headquartered in Glasgow, was selected via SCAPE Scotland’s Utilities Works and Services Framework, highlighting its experience and regional ties.
The pre-construction phase is expected to wrap up by summer, paving the way for full construction to begin in the autumn.
This contract award follows a major funding boost from the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which recently allocated £55.7 million from the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) to support the project. This funding enables the port to develop a tailor-made facility for offshore wind turbine assembly and pre-commissioning — a move that is also likely to attract further private sector investment.
The broader expansion initiative is set to generate between 170 and 320 jobs during construction, with long-term benefits for regional employment and Scotland’s renewable energy supply chain.
Alex Campbell, Chief Executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership:
“We are proud to partner with a Scottish firm like RJ McLeod, whose track record speaks volumes. Phase 5 represents our most ambitious expansion to date, and we look forward to the collaboration ahead.”
Hamish Seaton, North Director at RJ McLeod, echoed the sentiment:
“This project is not only an important milestone for the port and Scotland’s energy transition, but also a great opportunity to stimulate the local economy through jobs and regional supply chains.”
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks also praised the progress:
“Our £55 million investment is helping establish Cromarty Firth as one of the UK’s first major ports equipped to deploy floating offshore wind at scale. Today marks an important step in accelerating the offshore wind sector’s growth in the North Sea.”
As the world transitions toward cleaner energy, the Phase 5 expansion places the Port of Cromarty Firth at the forefront of the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure.
