Port of Cromarty Firth has awarded a £1.5 million contract to RJ McLeod to carry out pre-construction work for its £111 million Phase 5 expansion. This expansion will increase the Port's current 9Ha Quay West facility and provide essential facilities for the development of new North Sea fixed bottom and floating offshore wind farms.

RJ McLeod, a Scottish civil engineering contractor, will be responsible for detailed design, producing a construction programme and plan, and planning the procurement of key materials. The company was selected through the SCAPE Scotland's Utilities Works and Services Framework. The pre-construction phase is expected to be completed this summer, with construction due to begin in the autumn.

RJ McLeod has a 70-year history of delivering engineering projects across Scotland, including coastal infrastructure developments.

The contract award follows the UK Government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's confirmation of £55.7 million in funding from the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) to the Port. This funding will support the creation of a custom-designed Floating Offshore Wind Integration and Pre-commissioning facility, and will enable the Port to secure further match-funding from private investors.

The expansion project is projected to create 170-320 jobs during the construction phase. Upon completion, it will provide larger facilities for the integration, pre-commissioning, and operational support of floating offshore wind, contributing to regional jobs and growth, national energy security, and Scotland's and the UK's Net Zero targets.

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Industry reports have identified the Port as a key strategic location for a national floating offshore wind hub, due to its location, experienced supply chain, and deep, sheltered waters suitable for accommodating the large vessels and components required for offshore wind projects.

Alex Campbell, Port of Cromarty Firth Chief Executive, said: "The Port is delighted to award the pre-construction contract to Scottish company RJ McLeod. The award recognises the company's long and successful track record in delivering projects of huge significance to the area in which they are built. Everyone at the Port is looking forward to working with RJ McLeod on Phase 5, our most ambitious expansion project yet. This contract has also gone ahead thanks to the FLOWMIS funding recently confirmed by the UK Government... It will unlock investment in Invergordon and at other ports across the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport."

Hamish Seaton, North Director at RJ McLeod, said: "We are very pleased to have been awarded the pre-construction contract from Port of Cromarty Firth for its Phase 5 expansion... This project will provide us with the opportunity to deliver a boost to the local economy... We look forward to working with the Port to progress this project, which once completed will mark a milestone moment in Scotland's renewable energy journey."

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: "Our £55m investment in Cromarty Firth will help it develop into one of the first UK ports able to deploy floating offshore wind turbines at scale... This facility shows how Scotland is reaping the benefits of our clean power mission... by driving growth and creating good, skilled jobs."

Gary Meechan, Head of Frameworks at SCAPE Scotland, said: "We are delighted to support the expansion of the Port of Cromarty Firth... As one of the first major initiatives under SCAPE Scotland's Utilities Work and Services Framework, this project represents our commitment to providing procurement solutions that facilitate true collaboration and drive real industry benefits... We look forward to continuing the relationship we have established with Cromarty Firth Port Authority and working closely with our partner, RJ McLeod, to deliver meaningful social value for the local community."