Montrose Port will benefit from a further 180 permanent jobs as two projects confirm its growing role in the renewables sector.
The port has been selected by SSE as the preferred location for the operations and maintenance base for its planned 1.4GW Berwick Bank B offshore wind farm, creating 100 jobs at a new operational hub at the South Harbour.
They will include technicians and engineers responsible for the day-to-day offshore operations of the wind farm throughout its expected operational life of more than 35 years.
First Minister John Swinney and UK Government Energy Minister Michael Shanks welcomed the investment.
Stuart Hood, director of offshore wind operations at SSE Renewables, said: “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.”
Port CEO Tom Hutchison added: “Our relationship with SSE is built on trust, delivery and years of working side by side. Being chosen for Berwick Bank B shows how far that partnership has come and how much SSE values what Montrose can offer.”
Mr Swinney also welcomed investment of more than £5 million by Subsea Micropiles to establish a manufacturing facility at the port, creating 80 jobs.
The facility will manufacture components used to secure floating offshore wind turbines in deep waters in Scotland, as well as international markets.
It is being supported by £1.45m funding from Scottish Enterprise, following a £6.7m commercial investment delivered through the Scottish National Investment Bank, as part of the Scottish Government’s £500m commitment to support offshore wind ports and supply chain.
Mr Swinney was accompanied by Scottish Enterprise executive Reuben Aitken, and Derek Robertson, CEO at Subsea Micropiles, who said: “Scotland has become an important base for our growth. We rely on the deep pool of talent, skills and offshore experience here to develop our technology, services and expand into a global market.”
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