Montrose Port strengthens offshore wind portfolio with SSE’s Berwick Bank B Operations Base and major supply chain investment

100 long-term jobs to be created through SSE’s Berwick Bank B project, alongside a more than £5 million investment by Subsea Micropiles expected to create a further 80 jobs, increasing Montrose’s position as a leading offshore wind hub on Scotland’s east coast.

Montrose Port Authority has been selected as the preferred location for the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) base for SSE’s Berwick Bank B offshore wind farm, a significant milestone in the port’s continued growth as a hub for Scotland’s offshore wind industry.

The Berwick Bank B project will create 100 operational jobs over the wind farm’s lifetime of more than 35 years and support 30 construction jobs during the delivery of the operations base.

The announcement was made at Montrose Port, with the First Minister for Scotland, John Swinney, in attendance.

The First Minister commented:

“SSE’s selection of Montrose 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.

“Scotland’s ports are critical enablers of our offshore wind ambitions and key economic assets for surrounding communities, with the Port of Montrose 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.”

Berwick Bank B forms part of SSE’s wider Berwick Bank offshore wind farm, which has the potential to deliver up to 4.1GW of renewable electricity across three phases. The 1.4GW Berwick Bank B project secured a 20-year contract through the UK Government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 7 in January 2026, with SSE now progressing towards a final investment decision expected in 2027.

The selection builds on a long-standing relationship between SSE and Montrose Port Authority, which began with SSE choosing Montrose as the preferred location for the Seagreen offshore wind farm’s O&M base in 2019. Montrose is also home to the forthcoming Inch Cape offshore wind farm O&M base, with the project currently under construction and expected to enter its operational phase in 2027.

Montrose Port Chief Executive, Tom Hutchison, said:

“Securing Berwick Bank B’s operations and maintenance base is a hugely significant moment for Montrose Port and the wider Angus community. We have worked hard over many years to establish Montrose as a trusted, capable and ambitious base for offshore wind, and we are glad that SSE sees and believes in that potential.

“As a trust port, we have a responsibility to think beyond the immediate commercial opportunity and consider the legacy we leave for the communities we serve. For me, that means making sure local people have the skills and opportunities to benefit from the offshore wind projects operating from Montrose.

“Our relationship with SSE has grown considerably since Seagreen first selected Montrose. It is built on a shared long-term commitment and Berwick Bank B is the next step in making Montrose a home for Scotland’s offshore wind industry.”

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 investment will help support skilled jobs, local businesses and economic growth in Angus and across Scotland for decades to come.”

Berwick Bank B’s O&M base will be accommodated within Montrose Port Authority’s existing offices in Inchbraoch House on the South Quay. The Port Authority’s team will relocate to Customs House on the north side of the port, which is currently being renovated to provide new office accommodation alongside the Montrose Port Skills Academy on the ground floor.

The Skills Academy has been developed by Montrose Port in partnership with Angus Council and Dundee and Angus College to ensure that the growth of offshore wind delivers opportunities for people in the local area.

Subsea Micropiles to establish new manufacturing facility at Montrose

Alongside SSE’s announcement, Subsea Micropiles is investing more than £5 million to establish a new manufacturing facility at Montrose Port, which is expected to create around 80 new jobs. The facility will manufacture components to be used as moorings systems for floating offshore wind turbines.

The development is being supported by £1.45 million funding from Scottish Enterprise, following 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 offshore wind ports and supply chain.

The First Minister welcomed the announcement, saying:

“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.

“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.

“Through our strategic investment in offshore wind, we are helping to develop the infrastructure, skills and supply chains needed to secure long-term economic growth and export opportunities from the global market.”

Tom Hutchison, CEO of Montrose Port, added:

“Subsea Micropiles’ decision to manufacture at Montrose shows that the port is about far more than operations and maintenance. Bringing manufacturing alongside our O&M bases means more of the value from offshore wind can be retained in Angus, and with the Skills Academy in development, local people are well placed to benefit from the opportunities it creates.”

Derek Robertson, CEO at Subsea Micropiles, commented:

“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.

“Ultimately, we see significant potential to establish high-volume production of our anchor and foundation systems in Montrose as the market develops. These are scalable solutions which can be manufactured locally, with the potential to retain significant economic benefit in Scotland through engineering, vessel services and offshore supply chain.

“This funding support from Scottish Enterprise is an important part of enabling that next phase of growth and helping us establish the capability required to respond to future market demand.”

Reuben Aitken, Managing Director Investment and International at Scottish Enterprise, said:

“Scotland has a world-class offshore wind opportunity, and innovative companies like Subsea Micropiles will be central to turning that opportunity into jobs, investment and long-term economic value.

“We’re proud to support the company’s expansion in Scotland through our £1.45 million funding, helping unlock more than £5 million of investment and create 81 jobs. By backing innovative businesses to establish and grow their operations here, we’re strengthening Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain, attracting high-value investment and supporting the technologies that will help drive the energy transition.”

With Berwick Bank B joining Seagreen and Inch Cape, and Subsea Micropiles set to manufacture at the port, Montrose is continuing to develop as a major base for Scotland’s offshore wind industry. Together, the announcements bring new opportunities in operations, manufacturing and specialist engineering, creating a legacy that can benefit the port and wider region for generations to come.