£1.8 billion is set to be invested in port infrastructure by Labour who have taken the win at the recent election, and now we await its Green Prosperity Plan. While the reality may be different and take time, it is encouraging that the political affirmation states that port upgrades are necessary for the energy transition. However, multiple analysts from the UK Investment Bank to RenewableUK point to the UK’s ability to achieve its net zero goals.

A time for change

Last year, the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council issued a call for proposals from ports and top tier supply chain companies to support the delivery of Scotland’s offshore wind pipeline. At the beginning of 2024, 38 projects had completed stage one with a potential capital value of £6.5bn. The first of the 20 Scotwind leasing round projects submitted their offshore consent applications, while more recently, Green Volt, what will be the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm, received planning consent.

In short, the infrastructure project pipeline is red hot. But the UK is increasingly competing with the likes of Asia Pacific, other parts of Europe, and the US to grow its offshore wind market. If UK port infrastructure remains insufficient developers may search for opportunities further afield. Or they might have to take fabrication abroad and use neighbouring European ports.

The regenerative community impact in Scotland

If we commit to port infrastructure, we’re also committing to a brighter future for many communities. Two in five people live within 5km of the coast in Scotland. But in many rural locations economies have shifted away from traditional activities including fishing, agriculture and mining, to a seasonal tourism-based economy. Scotland’s 2022 Census revealed that almost half of council wards in the Scottish Highlands had experienced a population decline over the past 10 years. For example, Caithness – home to Wick and Scrabster ports – is expected to fall by 18% by 2040.

New port infrastructure would create jobs and boost economic growth much sooner than offshore wind projects, allowing coastal communities to flourish once more across manufacturing, assembly, staging, operation and maintenance and decommissioning. And it could also pave the way for future opportunities, for example green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel. The recent launch of the Scottish Offshore Wind Ports Alliance is an encouraging first step, but the size of the opportunity warrants greater attention.

A strategy for the many

A holistic strategy coordinated at a high level would ensure that the needs of offshore industries are met while creating vital opportunities for local economies. A successful strategy would also consider how to maximise port infrastructure to complement existing activities while also attracting new industries to the area, as well as ways to strengthen links to ports.

For example, the Port of Hanstholm, one of Denmark’s leading fishing ports, is planning to become Europe’s first CO2-neutral fishing harbour, exploring opportunities such as power-to-X and the handling and storing CO2 both of which would work in synergy with the port’s fishing activities and local service companies.

Levelling up port infrastructure in many locations, with strategic sites such as the Port of Cromarty leading the way, will also create more choice and flexibility for developers with several port facilities able to serve overlapping offshore wind development areas. Taking this approach would also ease port capacity challenges earlier as fewer boxes would need to be ticked per site allowing quicker progress.

An opportunity not to be missed

Standing at the crossroads of another industrial revolution, this is a pivotal time in the history of port infrastructure. A holistic strategy, born out of collaboration at every level – from local to international, can ensure the economic benefit is spread evenly, boosting skills, jobs, and the local economy to uplift and regenerate communities across Scotland. Now is the time for policymakers to put that plan in motion, let’s not wait a minute longer.