A MULTI-MILLION-POUND project to develop a port on a Scottish island has come one step closer after developers have submitted a funding application.
If successful, the creation of a “second deep water port” at Arnish, in the Isle of Lewis, will be devoted to facilitating renewable energy projects such as offshore wind.
The shipyard’s operators, Harland & Wolff, have submitted an application for public-private funding alongside Stornoway Port Authority “to enable the development of the Stornoway Offshore Wind Hub”.
READ MORE: SNP minister 'disappointed' as Scotland 'to ditch key climate pledge'
First reported in the Stornoway Gazette, the application covers the area between the new cruise ship terminal in Arnish and the existing fabrication yard.
The application was made under the SOWEC-SIM programme (Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council Strategic Investment Model) which involves all the ScotWind offshore developers, the Scottish Government, enterprise agencies and Crown Estate Scotland.
The proposal has progressed to the second stage of the application process.
The fund carries a budget of up to £500 million over five years, with almost 40 proposals being put forward with a combined capital value of £6.5 billion.
It comes as a new report highlighted that the Scottish Government needs an extra £2bn to deliver on its plans for a just transition.
Those working at Harland & Wolff – the company which owns the yard – say that the scheme would require a £99m investment package which would allow for the creation of a new quay and floating dry dock, which they say would increase the site's construction capacity to “255MW of installed capacity per installation season”.
A spokesperson for the company added: “The upgraded port at Stornaway would boast a laydown area of over ten hectares, providing ample space for the assembly and storage of renewable energy components.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel