In a significant milestone for Scotland’s burgeoning renewable energy sector, Montrose Port has been officially named as the preferred operations and maintenance (O&M) base for the 1.4GW Berwick Bank B offshore wind farm. Developed by SSE Renewables, the project represents a cornerstone of the United Kingdom’s transition toward a decarbonized power grid and solidifies the Angus coastline’s position as a global leader in the offshore wind supply chain.
The decision to anchor the operations of Berwick Bank B at Montrose is expected to deliver a substantial economic boost to the local community, creating 100 new permanent, full-time roles. These positions will primarily consist of highly skilled technicians and engineers who will be tasked with the day-to-day oversight, maintenance, and technical management of the wind farm. Given the scale and complexity of the project, these roles are expected to span the entire operational life of the facility, which is projected to exceed 35 years.
Beyond the long-term operational workforce, the immediate future will see an uptick in local construction activity. An additional 30 jobs are slated to be supported during the initial phase of the partnership, as existing office facilities and infrastructure at Montrose Port undergo extensive redevelopment. This transformation will turn current port assets into a state-of-the-art operations hub, equipped to handle the logistical demands of one of the world’s most ambitious offshore energy developments.
The Berwick Bank B site is situated approximately 38 kilometers off the East Lothian coast. It serves as a critical component of the broader Berwick Bank offshore wind farm project, which has a total planned capacity of 4.1GW. Once fully operational, the cumulative project will stand as one of the largest offshore wind installations on the planet, reflecting the massive scale of investment currently flowing into the North Sea’s renewable resources.
First Minister John Swinney hailed the announcement as a testament to the strategic importance of Scotland’s maritime infrastructure. He emphasized that the nation’s ports are no longer just points of transit, but are instead becoming the engine rooms of the green energy revolution.
“Scotland’s ports are critical enablers of our offshore wind ambitions and key economic assets for surrounding communities,” the First Minister stated. He noted that the Port of Montrose is rapidly evolving into a premier international destination for the renewable energy industry. “The Port of Montrose is set to become one of the world’s largest offshore wind operations and maintenance hubs, supporting the Berwick Bank, Seagreen, and Inch Cape offshore wind farms.”
The selection of Montrose follows a competitive process and builds upon the port’s existing track record. By co-locating the O&M activities for Berwick Bank alongside other major projects like Seagreen—currently Scotland’s largest operational offshore wind farm—and the upcoming Inch Cape project, SSE and its partners are creating a concentrated cluster of expertise. This "hub" model allows for greater efficiencies in vessel sharing, spare parts logistics, and workforce training, making the Angus region a focal point for the global offshore wind industry.
