Nuclear reactors could be built in Highlands after freeport green light
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More details are emerging of what is by far the most ambitious economic project in the north – the Cromarty Firth and Inverness green freeport – including hopes of building the next generation of nuclear reactors.
Small modular nuclear reactors or SMRs are reactors producing 300 megawatts electric (MWe) equivalent or less, designed with modular technology using serial factory fabrication over a short time period which is more economical.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak travelled to Invergordon to confirm at long last the Highlands would get a green freeport after Opportunity Cromarty Firth beat out strong competition to secure one of the two free trade zones.
The subsequent release from the UK government expected both freeports to “become operational in late 2023” with the expectation that over time 25,000 jobs will be created and generate at least £4.8 billion in investment for the area.
It goes on to add that it will: “Focus on floating offshore wind, nuclear and hydrogen that will drive a transition to net zero by 2045.”
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack underlined the role of the ports for the climate: “Working jointly with the Scottish Government, we had some very strong and creative bids to consider. We are excited about the opportunities the green freeports will bring to improve infrastructure and generate investment, all while taking a step closer to our net-zero goals.
The move into nuclear manufacturing SMRs on the Cromarty Firth was confirmed by Steve Chisholm, operations and innovation director at Global Energy Group, who said the area was ideally placed. “The first thing local people will see is action,” he said. “Planning applications for factories that will be built in the area, that will create lots of employment but industry needs them quick – so we are in a race to get them built.
“That opportunity is there from ScotWind, hydrogen, even the nuclear space for small modular reactor manufacturing – so factories need to be built so we can get industry here in the Highlands.
“The idea is to move that at pace, so come 2026 when some of the first of these facilities are commissioned and up and running.”
He added: “A major government report of over a year ago now concluded that the Cromarty Firth is the place for the manufacture of floating wind going forward and that is just with ScotWind, never mind the Celtic Sea and other opportunities around the world – 17 GW of opportunity sits in the floating wind industry.
“This is a unique part of the world and it is the only place where industry can see that kind of production take place.”
