Montrose Port Highlights Role in Scotland’s Energy Transition During Kirsty McNeill MP Visit

Montrose Port welcomed Kirsty McNeill, MP for Midlothian and Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, last week for an insightful visit to discuss the port’s growth initiatives and its role in Scotland’s energy transition. 

During her visit, Minister McNeill received an update on MPA’s strategic developments, including its ongoing masterplanning exercise. A key milestone in this project is the recent multi-million-pound acquisition of the former Charleton House site and the adjacent Montrose Commercial Park, previously home to Petrofac’s training facility. This expansion increases the port’s footprint from 59 acres to 104 acres, enhancing its ability to support Scotland’s offshore energy sector, particularly offshore wind, and solidifying its status as a critical asset in the country’s renewable energy future.

The minister learned about the port’s sustainability initiatives on the visit, including Plug Montrose, Montrose Port’s shore power facility developed in partnership with leading shore-side electricity specialists, Plug. Shore power has been live on Berths 1 and 2 at MPA for nearly a year, already preventing 470.3 tonnes of carbon emissions. The installation of shore power to Berth 3 is set for completion this month, bringing the total of electrified berths to 30%. This milestone will significantly reduce emissions and contribute to cleaner air around the port. 

Minister McNeill also toured Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm’s operations and maintenance (O&M) base, which is fully operational at Montrose Port. Seagreen, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, is a flagship project in the nation’s green energy transition. Montrose Port is preparing to welcome Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm’s O&M base with construction set to begin this year. Both bases will position Montrose as potentially the world’s largest O&M hub, overseeing 2.5GW of offshore wind capacity once Inch Cape becomes fully operational. 

In addition to offshore wind developments, Minister McNeill explored several major projects aimed at boosting economic growth and skills development. Among them is the transformation of the historic Customs House into a modern commercial space and the creation of the first Skills Academy for the renewables sector in Angus. This Academy will lay the foundation for training and career opportunities in the renewable energy industry. Construction on the regeneration of Customs House began in July 2024, with completion anticipated to be in October 2025. 

“I really enjoyed visiting Montrose Port,” said Minister McNeill of the tour. “It’s a trust port so committed to the local community and also to the clean, green energy that we all need to see.”