Montrose Port Authority (MPA) has reached a major milestone, supplying 1 Gigawatt-hour (GWh) of clean energy through its pioneering Plug Montrose shore power facility, equivalent to powering 100,037 homes for a day. This achievement spotlights the ongoing success of the service and highlights our ongoing ambition to become Scotland’s first carbon neutral port.

Leading the UK in Large-Scale Shore Power

MPA led the way by being the first port in Scotland and the UK to adopt large-scale shore power self-funded, enabling offshore energy supply vessels to connect to the port’s grid and draw electricity certified with a Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO). This allows vessels to connect to the facility and switch off their traditional diesel engines while berthed at port, significantly reducing emissions. With its high-power capability, Plug Montrose also allows ships to remain fully operational while connected, powering onboard systems safely and efficiently. 

Plug Montrose went live in April 2024 when Norwegian anchor handler vessel, Magne Viking, a Viking Supply Ships vessel managed by Sea1 Offshore, became the first vessel to connect. 18 months on, the facility has supplied 1GWh of power, demonstrating the proactive role ports can have in supporting national net zero targets.

Self-Funded Innovation

MPA self-funded the service through a 50/50 £1 million joint venture with Plug Shore Power Limited, the UK arm of Norwegian shore power specialists, Plug AS. As a trust port, all profits MPA makes are reinvested back into the port’s infrastructure and wider community. Investing in shore power was therefore a natural choice, advancing our mission to become Scotland’s greenest port while driving tangible benefits for the local community through cleaner air.

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin said: “Reducing the emissions of Scotland’s businesses and industries is one of the most important steps we can take to tackle climate change, and is a key action in our recently published draft Climate Change Plan.   

“I have seen first-hand the hard work and commitment of Montrose Port in their actions to decarbonise when I visited them last month – and their shore power facility is a great example of the port authority leading the sector in investing in clean energy.”

Following the success of Plug Montrose at Berths 1 and 2 in April 2024, we expanded the service by electrifying Berth 3 earlier this year, completing installation in just a few months. With this addition, 30% of berths at Montrose Port now offer shore power and MPA plans to electrify all berths as part of future quay improvement plans.

To date, the service has prevented over 740 tonnes of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of an average UK car going around the world 140 times, addressing Scope 3 emissions which are indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the supply chain and seen as the most challenging to address. By installing shore power, MPA is showing that the difficult questions faced by ports and the wider marine industry in carbon reduction can be tackled by investment in new technology and working strategically with likeminded partners.

MPA CEO Tom Hutchison said: “I’m immensely proud of the impact that Plug Montrose has had. Reaching 1GWh of power supplied through shore power in just 18 months is a testament to all the hard work of the teams involved.

“We’ve already set a benchmark for the future and hope this is one of many milestones on our journey to become Scotland’s first carbon-neutral port.”

Industry Demand and Onboard Benefits

The vessel that received the facility’s 1GWh milestone was Viking Supply Ships’ Brage Viking (sister to the Magne Viking), which was upgraded earlier this year to enable it to connect to shore power, indicating the industry demand for the facility.

Sustainability Director of Sea1 Offshore, Jon August Houge, commented: “Sea1 Offshore’s Environmental Management Plan requires that all Sea1-managed vessels should connect to shore power where and when possible. We are therefore pleased to have the opportunity to connect to shore power in the UK and Montrose Port in particular for the Viking Supply Ships vessels.

“Not only does this reduce global GHG emissions but also eliminates local air pollution around the port and removes noise onboard while berthed. Having already seen the success of shore power implementation in Norway, we encourage other ports in the UK to consider the installation of shore power for offshore vessels as well.”

Recognition, Leadership and the Future of Montrose Port

Since its launch, Plug Montrose has positioned MPA as a sustainability leader in Scotland. The port has been invited to speak at international events and roundtables and was named SME Port of the Year 2024 by the British Ports Association. It also received recognition from the Scottish Green Energy Supply Chain Awards and Scottish Green Energy Awards last year for its leadership in decarbonisation and community engagement.

This milestone comes as MPA continues to advance its long-term masterplan for the quayside and progresses the major redevelopment of Montrose Port Industrial Park (MPIP), formerly the town’s offshore fire training school. Montrose Port is rapidly establishing itself as one of the world’s largest operations and maintenance (O&M) hubs for offshore wind, already hosting the O&M base for Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm, the largest and deepest fully operational offshore wind farm in Scotland, and now constructing the O&M base for Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm. Once operational, Inch Cape will generate enough green energy to power the equivalent of more than half of Scotland’s homes, further strengthening Montrose’s role at the forefront of the country’s energy transition.