GB£230m masterplan for decarbonisation

The Orkney Harbours Masterplan is part of a review of Orkney Harbour Authority-owned infrastructure. Phase 1 considers five main locations on the Orkney mainland. Proposals focus on harbour infrastructure enhancements over a 20-year period that will generate jobs, additional revenue and attract new business, as well as help the transition away from fossil fuels.

Harbourmaster James Buck said: “Tackling decarbonisation is the strand that binds these proposals together providing infrastructure and knowledge for renewable energy developments around our waters will allow us to reach climate change targets. We will also look at the potential for net environmental gain through habitat reinstatement and enhancement.”

Phase 1

Phase 1 focuses on the Scapa Deep Water Quay; Hatston Pier; Kirkwall Pier; Scapa Pier; and Stromness. Phase 2 will ultimately develop the Islands’ smaller harbours and piers across the archipelago. Orkney Islands Council, the statutory harbour authority, has overall responsibility for the project.

Scapa Deep Water Quay is seen as the optimal location for construction and O&M activities associated with offshore wind, as well as for a LNG storage and distribution hub. At the same time this infrastructure has the capability to accommodate semi-submersible platforms of all types, giving Orkney a unique UK competitive edge within the existing oil and gas market. The project team believes it could be delivered by 2025.

Other proposals, such as Hatston and Kirkwall could take three or four years to deliver.

By Rebecca Jeffrey