Buckie Harbour secures £900,000 Just Transition Fund investment

A total of £900,000 has been awarded for Buckie Harbour Redevelopment enabling works, helping to progress plans that could strengthen Moray's role in the marine and offshore energy sector. The funding will support technical studies, design development, environmental assessments and business case preparation required for the harbour's future expansion.  

The successful funding bid was developed by Moray Council in collaboration with partner organisations as part of a long-term programme of projects designed to ensure Moray benefits from Scotland's transition to net zero. Buckie Harbour is the Operations and Maintenance base for Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) for Ocean Wind's Moray West offshore wind farm. Ocean Wind's next project is their 2GW  consented ScotWind project, Caledonia, which is also in the Moray Firth. 

The Buckie Harbour Master-plan, commissioned by Moray Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, looks at options to expand the harbour to the North or to the West, with each providing greater vessel capacity both in numbers, size and increased water depth including the potential for the larger Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) used in offshore wind. The option for a GOW (Global Offshore Wind) training centre, with courses for wind turbine technicians and other technical staff, is also being explored as part of the expansion plan. 

A further £300,000 has been awarded towards the Green Energy Parks project, which is being led by Crown Estate Scotland with Moray Council as a partner. The project will explore opportunities at strategic sites including Mosstodloch and Dallachy Airfield, helping to unlock future investment, job creation and clean energy development.

Cllr 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.” 

Annie Breadon, Crown Estate Scotland, Interim Director of Corporate Operations, commented: “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.”