Scottish Renewables has announced that two port infrastructure projects have taken a step closer to securing a share of up to £160 million of funding.

The UK Government will take the Port of Cromarty Firth and Port Talbot forward to undergo due diligence as part of the its Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS).

FLOWMIS was founded with the objective of positioning the UK as a frontrunner in floating offshore wind technology. The funding is intended to support private investment in port infrastructure, thereby facilitating the extensive pipeline of floating wind projects in Scotland.

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Responding, Emma Harrick, Head of Energy Transition and the Supply Chain at Scottish Renewables, said:

"Strategic investment in Scotland’s ports has been a longstanding ask of the renewable energy industry so it is great to see this fresh investment into the Port of Cromarty Firth. This funding will help to support Scotland’s renewable energy future as the mainstay of clean energy generation in the UK.

"To make the most of FLOWMIS we are urging the UK Government to consider flexibility in the timescales for this scheme as spending deadlines are currently restrictive and do not reflect the investment barriers our ports face.

"A sea of opportunity is on the horizon for Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain and if we are to harness this economic potential it is vital that both the UK and Scottish Government support all strategic ports with a spirit of collaboration.

Although the funding is welcome, Emma said that it is "only a drop in the ocean and supply chain support like this needs to be delivered at pace to establish a world-class renewable energy supply chain in Scotland".