Helping maximise the benefits of the Nigg Energy Park revival
In welcoming Global Energy’s purchase of the former Nigg oil fabrication yard in Easter Ross, Highland Councillors will be asked tomorrow (Thursday) to ensure the new Nigg Energy Park realises its full potential as a source of new jobs in the Highlands.
The Council will consider a report from Stuart Black, Director of Planning and Development, setting out the Council’s support for the project.
The Council is being invited to:-
• Write to the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism expressing its aim to work with the Scottish Government and its agencies to enable Nigg Energy Park to realise its full potential as a source of employment generation in the Highlands
• Provide support to Global Energy Group, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International to attract inward investment to Nigg Energy Park
• Work with Global Energy Group and Highlands & Islands Enterprise to promote the local supply chain to enable local companies to build on the opportunities arising from Nigg Energy Park
• Work with Global Energy Group, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and the University of the Highlands and Islands to address skills issues particularly facing young people to enable them to benefit from new employment opportunities.
• Complete the necessary due diligence to enable the Council to invest Vacant and Derelict Land Fund monies into the redevelopment of Nigg
Global Energy (Holdings) Limited announced last week that they had successfully concluded their negotiations with KBR and the Wakelyn Trust to purchase and lease the Nigg site to pave the way for the development of the former Nigg Fabrication Yard to service the oil, gas and renewables sectors.
Councillor Drew Hendry, Leader of the Opposition, who asked for the matter to be raised as an emergency item at the full council meeting, said: “In concluding a deal to take over the former Nigg Fabrication yard, Easter Ross, Roy MacGregor and his Global Energy team have achieved a real result for the Highlands. The creation of the Nigg Energy Park will create 2,000 high quality jobs and, potentially 1,500 more, if the right manufacturing partners can be found. This could have a massive impact on employment and apprenticeship opportunities for many of our young people.
“It is a unique opportunity and we have to send out a clear message that we, as a Council, in all political groups, will do everything it can to provide support for this strategically vital development. The focus must now be on how the Council goes about making sure that other decisions, such as housing, transport and education, amongst others are in line with the planned impact of this game changing development and benefit the whole of Highland.”
Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning Environmental and Development Committee, said: “The Council is among the key agencies working with Global Energy Group to establish exactly what their requirements and timescales are together with those of companies who intend to locate on the Nigg Energy Park in the future will be. This will include the opportunities to address the skills needs of young people to meet the significant employment potential of Nigg.
“The Nigg Energy Park is excellent news for the economy of Easter Ross and the wider Highlands. As a Council we remain committed to working with partners in the public and private sector to realise the full potential of the Nigg site. There is a need for early investment in site and skills development and it is crucial this is taken forward in a coordinated manner. I am confident over the future success of Nigg Energy Park.”