Monday 10 May 2010

Nigg targeted for renewable energy use

A demolition firm wants to take over the mothballed Nigg oil yard in Scotland to build renewable energy devices.

Birmingham-based DSM Demolition wants to use part of the site in Easter Ross to decommission ships and redundant oil platforms, but primarily it wants to create a green energy manufacturing hub. The firm has bought 800 acres of land next to the yard and is now negotiating to take over the entire facility.

The future of Nigg is in limbo because of a dispute over its sale between its owners, US company KBR, and a private landowner.

Parts for two offshore wind turbines were put together at Nigg in 2006 and 2007.

Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise want to revitalise Nigg by using it to build more renewable energy devices.