September 15, 2025
Montrose Port puts spotlight on its role in offshore wind during Russell Findlay MSP visit
This week we welcomed Russell Findlay MSP, leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, to Montrose Port. The visit gave us an excellent opportunity to update Mr Findlay on Montrose Port Authority’s (MPA) strategic development and highlight our mission to become the first carbon neutral port in Scotland.
We began by inviting Mr Findlay to our boardroom for an overview of progress we’re making in developing infrastructure for industrial development and business growth in Montrose and beyond through our ongoing masterplanning exercise. Montrose Port Industrial Park (MPIP) is critical to this progress, with the 45 acre plot set to provide a crucial role in Scotland’s energy transition by providing vital industrial space.
The Leader of the Opposition was also updated on the redevelopment at Montrose’s historic Customs House and Granary Store, which MPA is restoring into a modern commercial development consisting of both community and office spaces, as well as training facilities for workers in the renewable energy sector. Work on the project commenced in June 2024, and the building is on track to be wind and watertight within the coming months.
Highlighting our goal to become a carbon neutral port, we gave Mr Findlay an overview of our self-funded shore power service, Plug Montrose and the impact it has had since going live in May 2024. By allowing visiting vessels to switch off their traditional diesel engines and connect to the grid while berthed, shore power has prevented more than 600 tonnes of CO2 emissions in less than 18 months. Montrose was the first port in the UK to offer the service to offshore energy supply vessels, and it is now available at Berths 1, 2 and 3, demonstrating our commitment to investing into innovative decarbonisation initiatives.
Following these updates, Mr Findlay was taken on a tour of the port’s South Quay by our CEO Tom Hutchison, which included insights into our position as a key hub for the offshore wind sector. The MSP, joined by Montrose and District Councillor Iain Gall, was given a first-hand look at the operations and maintenance (O&M) base for Seagreen, the largest and deepest fully operational wind farm in Scotland, which is capable of producing enough electricity to power around two thirds of all homes in the country.
He was also shown the work in progress at O&M base for Inch Cape, the 72-turbine wind farm which is currently under construction 15km off of the Angus Coast. The Montrose base will consist of offices and warehouse space to support the farm’s offshore operations, and together with Seagreen, the two sites will position Montrose as one of the largest O&M hubs for offshore wind in the world.
