Fri, 26 Sep 2025

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 Sign off for Highlands green freeport plan for 11,000 jobs

Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport has reached the final stage of a five-year planning process.

* A green freeport has been established in the Highlands, expected to generate over 11,000 jobs and £6.5bn investment over 25 years.
* The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF) aims to become a major hub for offshore renewable energy.
* It will offer tax incentives and lower tariffs to companies, with net zero targets and fair work practices committed by the port.
* £25m of UK government seed funding has been unlocked to support local infrastructure projects.
* ICFGF is a partnership between private and public sector organisations, with six main sites including Port of Cromarty Firth and Port of Nigg.
* The freeport is expected to create high-quality jobs in the offshore wind sector and attract significant investment.
* Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes have welcomed the agreement as an exciting milestone for the Highlands.
* ICFGF chief executive Calum MacPherson said the port's ambition was to deliver positive change for economic prosperity in the Highlands.
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