As work continues at pace on the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Base at Montrose Port for the Seagreen offshore wind farm, local businesses are starting to feel the benefit of the project.

One such contractor is Harry Maiden Ltd, steel fabricators based in the town and which was tasked with installing the metal framework of the new O&M building – due to be completed later this year.

A key principle of the Seagreen project is the insistence that, wherever possible, local contractors should be used for various stages of construction, keeping business within the regional economy to ensure as many people as possible feel the benefits from the project.

Captain Tom Hutchison, Chief Executive at Montrose Port Authority, said: “Securing the O&M base for Seagreen was a real coup for Montrose – not just the port, but the town and wider Angus region too.

“We are proud to utilise local contractors wherever possible and Harry Maiden Ltd has been a valued supplier to the Port for many years. We were therefore delighted when main contractor Pert Bruce awarded the contract to erect the steel structure for the new building which will be a vital part of the harbour community for years to come.”

The new 1,075MW 114-turbine Seagreen wind farm, a joint project by SSE Renewables and Total, is currently under construction 27km off the Angus coast and, when completed, will be Scotland’s single largest source of renewable energy, providing a significant contribution to Scotland’s net-zero ambition and enough clean, renewable energy to power 1.6 million homes.

Gordon Maiden, Managing Director at Harry Maiden Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be working on the construction of the O&M building for Seagreen at the Montrose Port South Quay. I think it is great for the area that local companies are involved with this large wind farm project, and indeed we in turn are also sourcing steel, hiring cranes, etc. locally.

“The construction site is very close to our premises, which is ideal as we share a perimeter fence with the South Quay. Being a fifth-generation family business, over many years we have been involved in a lot of harbour improvement projects and also spin off work from the boats and companies that are located within it. When the port is busy the whole area seems to benefit and hopefully this will continue.” 

As well as local businesses benefitting during the construction phase, the Seagreen wind farm will also support a £1.8M community benefit fund which we are currently discussing with local Community Councils.

First power at the wind farm is expected by the end of 2021, coming onshore at Tealing, with full power coming on stream by the end of 2022.

For more information on the Seagreen project at the Port, click here.