HUNTERSTON is one of seven projects across Scotland to have been offered a share of £1.1 million from the first awards from the Scottish Government’s Decommissioning Challenge Fund.

This grant will provide opportunities for the oil and gas supply chain in North Ayrshire to benefit from the decommissioning of North Sea infrastructure, by supporting work towards infrastructure improvements for decommissioning at ports and yards.

Local MSP Kenneth Gibson added: “I am delighted that Hunterston is one of the first sites to receive a grant from the Decomissioning Challenge Fund.

“The SNP Government plans to make further funds available in future years, through innovative financing routes, once business cases have been developed to support larger scale projects. Such opportunities will be explored in close collaboration with industry, local authorities and stakeholders.

“Between the Decommissioning Challenge Fund to upgrade decommissioning infrastructure and the Circular Economy Investment Fund to invest in reuse and refurbishment of existing equipment, the SNP Government offers a broad spectrum of funding opportunities, which I am glad Hunterston is already taking advantage of.

“The money being allocated by Scottish Ministers is to ascertain whether or not Hunterston could join in the huge jobs and skills bonanza that such work will bring and whether indeed it is a suitable location.”