Inspite of the fact that the Wick Harbour was not among Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s (HIE) list of four bases for the development of the offshore wind sector, the development agency insists the port is not neglected in this aspect, reports Johnogroat Journal.
The National Renewable Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP) identified a number of key sites across Scotland offering development opportunities for the offshore wind industry.
Within the HIE area are Nigg, Ardersier and Kishorn as potential manufacturing sites, and Invergordon as a potential operations and maintenance location. The sites all have a long history of servicing the oil and gas sector.
Even though, Invergordon appears as HIE’s preferred location, the agency’s Caithness and Sutherland area manager Roy Kirk claims that this location has not been chosen over Wick.
“At no point has HIE ever stated that any site is a preferred location for operations and maintenance development for offshore wind,” he said.
“HIE works with all ports in the Highlands and Islands and it will be up to the market to decide which ports to work with and in which context.
“HIE has an excellent relationship with Wick Harbour Authority and we are working closely with them to develop the opportunities that renewable energy developments may bring.
“This includes identifying and acting on opportunities in the operations and maintenance of offshore wind power and the deployment and recovery of marine energy projects.”
Wick is the closest port to both the Beatrice Offshore Wind site and the Moray Offshore Wind which puts it in a good position to benefit from contracts that will eventually come forward, said Roy Kirk.
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Offshore WIND staff, February 20, 2013; Image: wickharbour