UHI Inverness Explores Ardersier Port Redevelopment
UHI Inverness Senior staff and Researchers from the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation, Centre for Living Sustainability recently visited the Ardersier Port redevelopment, set to become one of Europe's largest offshore wind energy hubs. The visit offered a first-hand look at the ambitious transformation of Scotland’s largest brownfield port into the Ardersier Energy Transition Facility, a cornerstone of the UK’s push towards a net zero future.
The site on the Moray Firth is being redeveloped by Haventus, a Quantum Capital Group portfolio company, and is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2025. It will feature 659 metres of quay wall and a 12.9 metre-deep harbour channel, making it the largest facility of its kind on the North Sea coast, deploying and servicing offshore wind infrastructure.
The visit, coordinated by David Logie, Chief People Officer at Haventus, included a site tour of the major redevelopment. Discussions focused on opportunities in research, skills development and curriculum alignment with Scotland’s fast-growing renewable energy sector.
UHI Inverness attendees included:
- Chris O'Neil – Principal and Chief Executive
- Craig Lowther – Curriculum Leader, Science, Computing and Education
- Heather Keyes – Curriculum Leader, Care, Art, Sport and Humanities
- Alastair Mackay – Deputy Curriculum Leader, Engineering
- Vladimir Morales – Assessor
- Grey Magaiza – South African Programme Lead
- Vicky Johnson – Director, Centre for Living Sustainability
- Barbara Morrissey – Researcher, Molecular Genomics
- Melanie Manwaring-McKay – Research Development Facilitator
- Monika Maleszka-Ritchie – Research Development Facilitator