Kishorn Port Launches 2nd Phase of Offshore Renewables Masterplan (UK)

One of Scotland’s leading sites looking to service the offshore renewables market is launching the second phase of its masterplanning process with a public consultation event. Kishorn Port Ltd (KPL), a joint venture between Leiths (Scotland) Ltd and Ferguson Transport (Spean Bridge) Ltd, is holding a public open day on Wednesday 20 February at Lochcarron Village Hall.

KPL recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to support the development of offshore wind sector manufacturing at the site. KPL are already working with The Highland Council in a masterplanning process and this second phase will lead up to the submission of a formal planning application.

The Masterplan includes plans for the full scale manufacture of concrete structures alongside other mixed uses for the offshore energy markets, including wind, wave and tidal. The plan allows for up to 2,500 jobs on site, accommodation for 1,500 staff, related storage, warehousing, berthing and workshops and includes reclamation of the foreshore to create additional lay down areas.

HIE is contributing up to £106,500 towards the costs of phase two of the masterplanning process, which includes fees for planning and marine engineering consultants and planning fees.

Members of the public interested in the plans for the site are invited to come along to the consultation event to find out more and submit their views.

Helen Cameron from HIE, said: “We have worked closely with KPL and the masterplanning process will look at the best way of developing the site to make the most of the emerging opportunities in renewable energy. Kishorn has a long and proud history in energy manufacturing and the advent of the renewables age looks likely to give the site a whole new lease of life.”

The Kishorn site was identified in the Scottish Government National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP) as a potential manufacturing and distribution hub for the offshore renewables industry. The original Kishorn Yard and Dry Dock was developed as a manufacturing and fabrication yard for oil platforms in the 1970’s and at its height more than 5,000 people worked on the site. The site has 35 hectares of land available (including the dry dock) for immediate construction and a further 9 hectares available after development.

In December 2012, developer Trident Energy announced that it is to lease part of the site at Kishorn Port for sea trials of a prototype electricity generator using wave power.

The lease agreement, initially for one year, will enable Trident Energy to test their PowerPod technology at sea and gather operating data to inform commercial designs and performance modeling.

Kishorn Port Ltd combines the quarrying, concrete and construction materials expertise of Leiths (Scotland) Ltd with the port operations, shipping, stevedoring and transport skills of logistics company Ferguson Transport (Spean Bridge) Ltd. Combined, the parent companies employ over 600 staff and have an annual turnover in excess of £70 million.

[mappress]

Press release, February 20, 2013; Image: kishornport