Fresh bid to reopen Nigg yard as energy hub

ANOTHER attempt is being made to reopen a mothballed former oil yard in the Highlands as an energy sector hub.

It was confirmed yesterday that a joint bid is being made for the Nigg yard in Easter Ross by the Cromarty Firth Port Authority and Global Energy Group.

Previous efforts to reopen the yard, which once employed over 5,000 people, have been thwarted by complex ownership issues and land-lease conditions.

Two-thirds of the yard is owned by US engineering and construction company KBR, which also has a 30-year lease with a family trust that owns 76 acres, including the dock.

A joint statement from the port authority and Global said: "An initial bid has been submitted to KBR's agents …under the auspices of a joint venture agreement.

"The object is to reactivate the Nigg fabrication yard as a multi-user energy-related facility which will expand its commercial opportunities."