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Forth Ports to invest £50 million in Leith having secured Inch Cape contract
Forth Ports, the UK’s third largest port operator, has announced a £50 million private investment in infrastructure at the Port of Leith having secured its largest ever offshore wind contract, the delivery of Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm.
This latest investment in infrastructure at the Port of Leith will enhance the port’s marine access, infrastructure and vessel assets and includes plant and equipment that will be used to deliver Inch Cape. It will also create up to 50 new and upskilled green energy jobs to support the project.
Forth Ports’ agreement with Inch Cape will utilise the port operator’s bespoke facilities and expertise at newly created renewable energy hubs at both the Port of Leith and Port of Dundee.
The announcement follows a decade of private investment, during which time Forth Ports has created the land, quayside and skills capacity, which has not previously existed in Scotland, to deliver very large offshore wind contracts.
Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive Officer, Forth Ports said: “Inch Cape represents a very significant milestone for Forth Ports as it is the largest offshore wind contract ever to be awarded to our business. When it goes live, Inch Cape will have a significant impact on Scotland’s energy transition as the country drives to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
“Our strategy is to create and build the renewables hubs ahead of market demand and we have achieved this in Dundee and Leith. Coupled with other specialist facilities delivered by Forth Projects, this creates an unrivalled prime position for Forth Ports to deliver large offshore wind projects.
“We have a clear vision and today we commit to investing a further £50 million in Leith, from our own resources, to support Inch Cape and future renewables projects.”
Mapping Offshore Wind Capabilities in Scotland - Survey Findings Released
Scotland is in the top ten global offshore wind markets, with a pipeline of almost 46GW all potentially deliverable before 2035 and 48 offshore wind projects under development, construction or in operation in Scottish waters.
The east coast of Scotland is currently home to the majority of Scotland’s offshore wind farms with the region boasting a rich diversity of supply chain companies from developers to SMEs supported by world class infrastructure with a diverse range of ports and Forth Green Freeport.
The potential value of supply chain opportunities in offshore wind in Scotland is substantial, driven by the country’s ambitious renewable energy targets, abundant wind resources and commitment to decarbonisation.
The Scottish Government estimates that the offshore wind sector could generate tens of billions of pounds in economic value over the coming decades with investments in infrastructure, fabrication yards, ports and other facilities expected to contribute significantly.
Developers are committed to maximising local content and creating opportunities across the supply chain with ScotWind alone estimated to deliver £25 billion to £30 billion in supply chain opportunities over its lifetime.
This report aims to identify supply chain companies either active and supporting the sector already or those exploring the possibility of becoming active in the sector, with analysis on capabilities and numbers of people employed.
Our questionnaire aimed to map the capabilities of the Scottish offshore wind supply chain by collecting data from companies actively involved, previously involved, or those exploring opportunities to enter the sector. The survey identified the services offered, project experience, and economic impact of companies currently contributing to offshore wind, as well as those with potential to support the growing sector. Ultimately, the goal is to position Scotland as a leading destination for offshore wind by showcasing regional companies, particularly along the east coast, and enhancing engagement within the supply chain.
Download the survey findings below.
Funding boost from UKRI for Scottish offshore wind sector
A pioneering partnership between the University of Edinburgh, the University of Dundee and the Forth and Tay Offshore (FTO) cluster has been boosted by a £2.5 million innovation funding award from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The UK Government-backed body’s UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has made the award through its Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme. It will leverage the expertise of both universities and the FTO cluster to address critical challenges in offshore wind technology, fostering innovations that will drive sustainable energy solutions and further strengthen Scotland’s position as a global leader in offshore wind.
The East coast of Scotland is viewed as the ideal location from which to run the programme, as it is currently home to the majority of Scotland’s offshore wind farms which are in various stages of development. It also boasts a rich diversity of supply chain companies, from developers to SMEs supported by world-class infrastructure, with a diverse range of ports and Forth Green Freeport – now open for business – all within the region.
This funding marks a major milestone for the partnership, aligning with the UK Government’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045.
New Skills Academy to Support Renewables Sector in Angus
Montrose is to house a skills academy which will offer courses on working in renewables. The new facility will, for the first time in Angus, bridge a gap between teaching and practice, supporting jobs and economic opportunities in the area by delivering practical experience for those looking to work in Scotland’s growing offshore wind industry.
Receiving £1.25m of funding from Scottish Government’s Tay Cities Industrial Investment Programme, the Academy will provide facilities and training courses to support the growing demand from offshore wind, low carbon technology and clean growth expansion across the Tay Cities region.
Forth & Tay Offshore partners Angus Council and Montrose Port Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding along with Dundee & Angus College on Friday 8 November 2024, entering into an agreement to work together to develop the new facility within Customs House at Montrose Harbour.
Montrose Port Authority Nearly Doubles Footprint with Multi-Million-Pound Expansion for Renewable Energy Growth
Montrose Port Authority (MPA) is set to embark on a major expansion with the acquisition of Montrose Commercial Park and the adjacent former Charleton Maternity Home site.
This strategic, multi-million-pound investment is a key element of MPA’s ongoing masterplanning initiative, aimed at meeting the growing demand for industrial space to support Scotland’s offshore energy sector and drive the nation’s energy transition.
MPA is exploring future development options for the site with Scottish Enterprise who recognise significance of the proposals and the transformational impact from the future growth projects.
The purchase from Equipco Investments Ltd encompasses 45 acres of prime real estate, formerly home to Petrofac’s fire safety training facility and the now-demolished Charleton House which used to function as a maternity hospital.
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