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The MSP for Angus North and Mearns has visited Montrose Port Authority (MSA).

Mairi Gougeon received an update on how the port is building its reputation as the support, logistics and service hub for the North Sea energy sector and general cargo markets.

Tom Hutchison, CEO of Montrose Port Authority gave Ms Gougeon an insight into the £1 million self-funded 50/50 partnership investment with Plug Shore Power Ltd to become the first Scottish port to offer shore power to offshore energy vessels.

The 59-acre Montrose site is home to the operations and maintenance (O&M) base for Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm, a joint venture between SSE Renewables and Total Energies.

The MSP was also welcomed onboard the Edda Brint, the large purpose-built service operations vessel for Seagreen.

Then, at the Seagreen maintenance and operations base, she was given a tour around the Marine Control Centre.

Ms Gougeon said: “It is always a pleasure to visit Tom and the team at Montrose Port Authority.

“They have a real passion and drive for growing and realising the potential that Montrose Port has to offer and it’s fantastic to see the port continue to go from strength to strength.

“I appreciated the opportunity to visit the high-tech Edda Brint vessel and gain a better understanding of the work involved in the construction and ongoing operation and maintenance of the Sebagreen wind farm.

“The sheer scale of the site and ongoing work is staggering.  Not only is a project of this scale important for renewable energy production in Scotland, it has a huge knock-on impact on our local economy with the associated jobs and skills coming to the area.

“The port’s recent investment in shore power infrastructure further cements Montrose Port’s status as a key base for offshore renewables, showcasing their commitment  to driving economic prosperity in Montrose, Angus and the wider north east.”

Mr Hutchison said: “It has been wonderful to have Ms Gougeon visit us again and to share our plans for the future.  The port is playing a central part in the transition to net zero as the O&M for Seagreen with 2,5GW of capacity being operated from Montrose Port now Seagreen has come online.

“The 25-year commitment to Montrose by the Seagreen joint venture will ensure going investment and redevelopment of our existing facilities.

“Our reputation as an expanding O&M base continues to grow with our selection as the future operations and maintenance base for the Inch Cape offshore wind project making the port one of the largest O&M bases for offshore wind energy globally.

“But this isn’t the height of our ambitions.  “While the port supports 400 jobs worth £45 million to the regional economy, we are also focused on finding new opportunities to further support jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the Angus economy.”

Graeme Watters, lead marine co-ordinator at SSE Renewables said: “It has been great to have the opportunity to show local MSP Mairi Gougeon our SOV (service operation vessel) and our repurposed operations and maintenance base and to introduce her to some of the team that are working on Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm.”