A total of 20 payments amounting to £1 million have been paid out by Scottish Enterprise so far for the controversial Moray Flow-Park.
In November alone, the Scottish Government agency confirmed it had handed over £370,000 in taxpayers’ cash to Offshore Solutions Group in a bid to have the development up and running by 2028.
In a freedom of information request, Scottish Enterprise revealed that payments for the Moray Flow-Park started in May 2024.
Another £800,000 of funding, in addition to the £1 million already given, has been made available by Scottish Enterprise to Offshore Solutions Group if they require it.
Scottish Enterprise claimed the cash will help develop designs and assist with the consultation process while fast tracking the development to meet the needs of the offshore wind market.
Buckie-based MSP Tim Eagle has been a leading figure in the campaign against the plans after hosting a public meeting which was attended by more than 600 concerned people.
On the new funding revelations, Mr Eagle said: “It’s sickening that despite widespread concerns from the public, Scottish Enterprise is bankrolling Offshore Solutions Group in a cynical attempt to railroad these proposals through planning.
“Hundreds, if not thousands of residents and businesses are deeply upset and increasingly distrustful of the process surrounding the proposed Moray FLOW-Park.
In Case You Missed it:
“Despite no consent, no environmental assessments, no procurement process and no meaningful community engagement, we now know there have been 20 separate payments dating back to May 2024.
“The public will rightly wonder what this means for the outcome of both this application, and possible future ones down the line for our beautiful coastline in the north of Scotland.
“This absurd process is fast becoming a public scandal, which is why I won’t stop in my pursuit to halt these plans by ensuring the voices of our rural communities are heard by the Scottish Government.”
