Montrose port to become 'biggest in world' after Berwick Bank boost

First Minister John Swinney (left) during a visit to the Port of Montrose for an announcement on a major expansion in offshore wind. PIC: Jeff J Mitchell/PA | Jeff J Mitchell/PA Wire

The Port of Montrose is set to become the biggest in the world for operations and maintenance of windfarms after it secured a deal connected to the Berwick Bank project in the North Sea.

Montrose has been named as SSE’s preferred site for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the next phase of Berwick Bank off the coast of Fife after beating off competition from Port of Leith for the job.

The deal, which is set to create a further 80 jobs at the port, makes Montrose the biggest port of its kind for its work supporting offshore wind development.

First Minister John Swinney visited Montrose on Monday to coincide with the announcement, which followed confirmation of another major investment for the port.

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A £5m manufacturing facility for Subsea Micropiles, which makes the components needed to anchor offshore wind turbines in deep waters, will also be built with 100 jobs created.

Mr Swinney said developments at Montrose signalled “a strong vote of confidence in the sector”.

He added: “Scotland is already recognised as being at the forefront of floating offshore wind development.

“The investment behind today’s announcements is a strong vote of confidence in the sector and in the skilled workforce, innovation and expertise that exists here.

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“SSE’s selection of the Port as its preferred location for its operations and maintenance base for Berwick Bank further strengthens Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain and will create more jobs as well as investment in skills, infrastructure and local communities.”

Mr Swinney said that Subsea Micropiles’ commitment to expand at the Port of Montrose will help ensure more of the economic benefits of the energy transition are retained in Scotland, creating high-quality jobs in Angus and the North East, supporting local businesses and strengthening our industrial capabilities”.

That project is being backed with £1.45 million funding from Scottish Enterprise, which comes after a £6.7 million commercial investment delivered through the Scottish National Investment Bank as part of the Scottish Government’s £500 million commitment to support the supply chain for offshore wind.

Derek Robertson, chief executive at Subsea Micropiles, said that “Scotland has become an important base for our growth”.

He added: “We rely on the deep pool of talent, skills and offshore experience here to develop our technology, services and expand into a global market.”

And Stuart Hood, director of offshore wind operations at SSE Renewables, said: “Scotland has built a world-class offshore wind industry, and today’s announcement shows the economic opportunities that can follow when that expertise is matched with long-term investment.

“Our decision to choose Montrose as the preferred operations base for Berwick Bank B and create 100 new jobs reflects the strength of the port, its people and the local supply chain.

“SSE has built a strong relationship with Montrose Port over many years, and this latest long-term investment will help support the port’s continued development as a leading offshore wind hub.”

Mr Hood said this was “clear evidence of the potential for the clean energy transition to drive skilled job creation and economic opportunity for communities up and down the country”.

UK energy minister Michael Shanks said: “This is a key milestone for Berwick Bank, which, when built in full, would be the world’s largest single offshore wind farm.

“SSE’s plans for Montrose Port show what the UK Government’s drive for clean power can deliver for Scotland: around 100 skilled jobs that could last for decades, investment in our ports and opportunities for local businesses.”