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. 
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “Companies across the supply chain are actively engaged in decommissioning projects. Our Decommissioning Challenge Fund is a clear signal to the market which is forecasted to be worth £17 billion by 2025 - and to plan and invest accordingly.
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.”
“I attended a seminar on decommissioning on 20 December to find out more about this rapidly growing industry.
“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.
“Hunterston is also being examined as a site for Heathrow assembly; as a potential location for a liquid nitrogen gas facility that would supply all of Scotland and possibly as a base to pre-fabricate and transport onward living quarters for Faslane.
“It is clear that Hunterston’s location, excellent connectivity and deep water port make it attractive, whilst environmental and other impacts would have to be considered.”