Moray is set to receive £1.2 million from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund to develop projects aimed at attracting investment, creating jobs and supporting the move towards a low carbon economy.
The funding will support plans for the future expansion of Buckie Harbour and the development of Green Energy Parks at strategic sites including Mosstodloch and Dallachy Airfield.
The largest share of the investment, £900,000, will go towards enabling work for the proposed redevelopment of Buckie Harbour.
That money will fund technical studies, design development, environmental assessments and preparation of the business case needed to progress plans for expansion.
The harbour is regarded as an important strategic asset as Moray looks to strengthen its position within the marine and offshore energy industries.
A further £300,000 has been awarded to the Green Energy Parks project being led by Crown Estate Scotland in partnership with Moray Council.
The project will examine the potential of sites including Mosstodloch and Dallachy Airfield to attract investment, support clean energy development and create new employment opportunities.
Moray Council developed the successful funding bid with partner organisations as part of a wider programme intended to ensure the area benefits economically from Scotland’s transition towards net zero.
Councillor Marc Macrae, Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“This is a very welcome investment in Moray’s future.
“The funding will help us develop projects with the potential to create economic opportunities, support jobs and strengthen our communities as we move towards a low-carbon economy.
“Buckie Harbour is a strategically important asset for Moray, while the Green Energy Parks project has the potential to attract future investment and support growth in emerging industries.
“This award is recognition of the strength of the partnership working that has taken place across Moray and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the area benefits from a just transition.”
Crown Estate Scotland believes the Green Energy Parks could ultimately become significant contributors to Moray’s economy, although further infrastructure investment will be required to unlock their potential.
Interim Director of Corporate Operations Annie Breadon said:
“We believe that strategic sites across Moray have the potential as Green Energy Parks to become valuable contributors to the regional economy, supporting skilled employment, renewable energy and sustainable communities in the future.
“In order to reach that potential, they will need new infrastructure investment around them and these funds will help to unlock it.”
Moray MSP Laura Mitchell also welcomed the announcement and the potential for the projects to generate economic opportunities.
She said:
“I’m delighted to see Moray receiving funding from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund which is a significant investment in our local economy that will help support projects that can deliver growth and jobs across Moray.
“This funding and the projects being pursued demonstrates the opportunities that Scotland’s transition to renewables can bring to Moray and I look forward to seeing how these projects help unlock investment at local strategic sites.”
The £1.2 million will now allow both projects to move further through the development process, laying some of the groundwork needed if their larger ambitions for investment, energy and employment are to become reality.
