LONGER READ: Waiting game over green freeport bid most politicians agree could have 'transformative' impact on Highland economy amidst 'missed opportunity' fears should region lose out
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WITH five Scottish bids now finally lodged for green freeport status and each adamant that success would have a transformative impact on their areas, backers of the Opportunity Cromarty Firth proposal now face an anxious waiting game for an announcement.
The UK “political environment” is what concerns Global Energy Group boss Roy MacGregor when it comes to which bids are successful, with billions of pounds at stake for the Highland economy.
Cromarty Firth, including Inverness; Aberdeen/Peterhead; Clyde, including Glasgow and North Lanarkshire; Firth of Forth, including Leith/Edinburgh, Grangemouth and Rosyth and Orkney are all in the race.
The north is the home of a growing renewables production sector with a substantial number of wind farms located in the area. MeyGen is a world leader in tidal power.
Mr MacGregor says “votes” could determine who gets what when the UK and Scottish governments meet to decide the beneficiary of what many say is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
We asked local Highland MSPs if they backed the bid by Opportunity Cromarty Firth and, if so, what they have done to push it forward. Of those asked to comment, only the Green MSP Ariane Burgess refused.
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Maree Todd said the bid has her full support and she has “signed a cross-party letter to that effect” adding it would be great not just for the Highlands but“a real opportunity for Scotland".
“A green freeport would not only be transformative to Easter Ross but it would bring a wealth of benefits to the wider constituency and indeed the Highland region too,” she said. “I would go even further and say it’s a real opportunity for Scotland to lead the way in the global challenge of tackling climate change. If awarded, we can expect to see thousands of high-quality employment opportunities brought to the area, offering good salaries and working conditions.
“I have met with Opportunity Cromarty Firth and stakeholders on several occasions now to discuss the bid, and it’s clear that fair work practices and Scotland’s net zero ambitions have been considered throughout, resulting in the consortium submitting an impressive bid. Given the level of depopulation we have suffered for centuries and the socio-economic fragility of some of our communities, I can think of few places in Scotland that warrant this support more. I might be a tiny bit biased though.”
Conservative MSP Edward Mountain said: "A free trade zone within the Highlands would be transformational for the region, creating jobs and attracting investment for years to come. I firmly believe Opportunity Cromarty Firth should be at the top of the list for obtaining Green Freeport status. I have spoken regularly with the bid team and made Scottish and UK ministers aware of my support for Cromarty’s proposals.
“Cromarty is ideally placed to benefit as a green freeport and it would be a huge opportunity missed for the region’s economy should it not be awarded this status.”
It is paramount that for once the Highlands is not left playing second fiddle to the central belt, according to Labour MSP Rhoda Grant, because she believes it vital that local people can access good employment close to home. I would be extremely disappointed if this bid were not to win, I believe that it would be transformative for the whole country, Scotland and the wider UK.
“Too often we lose out to the central belt and we must ensure that does not happen because this bid will give young people in the Highlands the chance to access high quality employment close to home, it will build the local economy and its benefits will radiate throughout the Highlands and beyond.”
The SNP’s Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing, a former cabinet secretary for rural economy, said there is no better place for a green freeport as the region is the “engine room of Green energy”.
“I support the Cromarty Firth bid and have worked with business over many years to support their exciting plans to continue their good work in the renewables sector,” he said. “The Highlands is the engine room of green energy – in wind offshore and on tidal, hydro, pump storage, and we can have a major role in the newer industries in hydrogen and carbon capture transportation and storage.
“So the case for Cromarty Firth is very strong and I’m delighted to support it. In addition, I’m lobbying the Scottish Government to support the case.”
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said he too hopes the Cromarty Firth bid is successful but if it is not then he is keen "to make sure there are benefits for all the areas from this process".
“I’m very supportive of the Cromarty bid and have a visit planned in the coming weeks. I also recently attended a reception in the House of Commons promoting their bid," he said. "It is one that can make a real difference to the area, and I know the bid is very strong in all the areas that will be considered.
"I do hope the bid is successful but I recently asked the Scottish Secretary at committee what options will be available for the three unsuccessful bids. He would not be drawn while the process to determine the two successful bids is under way, I will continue to work on this to make sure there are benefits for all the areas from this process."
