Two of the north’s most senior politicians backed plans yesterday for a former oil yard to become a major centre in the renewables industry employing more than 2,500 people.
Port of Ardersier is in line for a major revamp after Highland Council backed plans to convert the yard into an offshore wind turbine manufacturing base.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and his Liberal Democrat colleague, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael, visited the site yesterday to discuss the plans with company directors Gerry Job and Ronnie Fraser.
Mr Alexander said the site could become the best in Scotland for construction in the renewables industry.
The two businessmen were tight-lipped about when work would start on the site but it is understood that dredging could begin later this year.
Discussions are ongoing with companies interested in leasing land at the port.
The 400-acre site will become a major manufacturing, assembly and operations and maintenance facility for new offshore wind fields in the North Sea.
The final piece of the jigsaw is securing permission from the Scottish Government, Marine Scotland and Transport Scotland.
The development will bring a new lease of life to the yard, which employed 4,500 people in its heyday.
Mr Alexander said: “I have been a strong supporter of this development since I was first elected to parliament in 2005.
“I think this could be the best site in Scotland for offshore renewables.
“There is potential for thousands of jobs and I think this is the most important economic breakthrough in the Highlands and islands for some time.”
Mr Carmichael said: “We are bringing back into commission, hopefully, a site that has been tremendously productive in the past but which now has the opportunity to be used for the next generation of energy, mainly offshore renewables and wind in particular.”
He added: “Once you have got the infrastructure, the other opportunities will keep coming.
“This looks like a long-term, sustainable source of good-quality jobs and income for the local community.”