Scotland’s two Green Freeports will share £700,000 in new UK Government funding aimed at accelerating development and preparing key industrial sites for inward investment.
The Forth Green Freeport and the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport will receive support through the Industrial Strategy Zone Site Accelerator Grant, backing five pre construction projects designed to make sites investment ready.
The funding forms part of a wider £3.3 million allocation across UK Freeports and follows the original £25 million commitment from the UK Government to each of Scotland’s two Green Freeports, alongside associated tax incentives.
Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said:
“This UK Government funding is a welcome milestone towards developing Green Freeports in Scotland.
“The UK Government’s Freeports programme is a key part of our mission to boost economic growth in all parts of the UK.
“Supported by £25 million UK Government investment each, and a range of UK Government tax incentives, Scotland’s two Green Freeports will deliver thousands of high-quality jobs and attract billions in investment.”
In the Forth Green Freeport area, £306,142 will be used to develop commercial space at Queensferry One in Rosyth, while a further £100,000 will fund a study into energy utilities capacity, future needs and potential mitigation measures.
In the Highlands, the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport will receive £150,000 to gather environmental information for the Port of Inverness, a key step in ensuring development aligns with environmental standards and regional energy ambitions.
A further £110,000 will support site investigations at Dunskaith Industrial Land to assess development potential, while £34,000 will be allocated to support a biodiversity plan.
The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport aims to create 18,300 jobs across the UK, with more than 11,000 based in the Highlands, focusing on renewable and low carbon energy sectors including offshore wind, advanced manufacturing and maritime technologies.
The Forth Green Freeport, which spans Leith, Grangemouth and Fife, aims to create 16,000 jobs locally and forms part of a wider projected 34,500 jobs across the UK linked to the development.
Supporters argue that the funding will help unlock major private sector investment and strengthen Scotland’s position in emerging energy and industrial markets.
