His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visited Montrose Port Authority (MPA) on Monday, April 27. The visit was made in recognition of the port’s significant decarbonisation achievements and position as an integral operations and maintenance hub for offshore wind on the east coast of Scotland.
The Duke was received by Angus Lord Lieutenant Patricia Sawers, together with Lord Provost Craig Fotheringham, Angus Council Chief Executive Kathryn Lindsay, and Montrose Port Chief Executive Tom Hutchison. Pupils from neighbouring Ferryden Primary School also welcomed His Royal Highness, presenting a framed drawing to mark the occasion and waving flags bearing the Earl of Forfar crest, a royal title held by The Duke that is specific to the county of Angus.
In the port’s boardroom, The Duke met with port representatives, including Chair of the Board Peter Stuart, and Chief Commercial Officer Lynn Sayer, alongside Martin Pibworth, Chief Executive of SSE plc, and senior figures from SSE Renewables and TotalEnergies. The companies are two of the partners behind Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm, Scotland’s largest operational fixed offshore wind project, whose operations and maintenance (O&M) base is located at Montrose Port’s South Quay.
Also present was Maria Bos, Chief Executive of Plug, a leading Norwegian shore power company and joint venture partner behind Plug Montrose, the port’s shore power facility. Covering 30% of the port’s berths, the facility enables visiting vessels to switch off their engines and connect to the port’s grid, which supplies electricity backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO). Launched in April 2024, the system was a first for Scottish ports at this scale and has since prevented over 1,122 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of a car driving around the world 212 times.
Following a presentation, His Royal Highness walked along the South Quay with MPA and SSE’s chief executives and the Lord Lieutenant, to view construction work underway on the port’s second O&M base for the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm. The Duke then visited Seagreen’s existing O&M base and control room, where he heard first hand from the teams managing the day-to-day logistics of running Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm.
Martin Pibworth, Chief Executive of SSE plc, said: “We were pleased to welcome The Duke of Edinburgh to our Seagreen Operations and Maintenance base in Montrose, and to highlight the exceptional work of the teams who operate this world-class offshore wind asset every day.”
The Duke then moved to the port’s north side to see the ongoing renovation of the historic Customs House, a B-listed building being transformed into a commercial space for the renewables supply chain and a dedicated offshore wind Skills Academy, the first of its
kind in Angus. His Royal Highness was joined by Craig Bruce, Managing Director of Montrose-based Pert Bruce Construction, whose team has brought the maritime heritage building to wind and watertight condition ahead of interior fit-out.
At Customs House, representatives from Dundee and Angus College outlined the Skills Academy curriculum, designed to train offshore wind technicians, including school leavers and career changers. The entry-level Futures in Offshore Wind introductory course, already underway at the college’s Arbroath campus, has been accredited by Vestas, the turbine manufacturer of both the Inch Cape and Seagreen projects. The Duke also met two students currently on the course and heard about their ambitions to build careers in the sector.
“It was a privilege to welcome His Royal Highness to Montrose Port. This visit was an important opportunity to demonstrate how we are supporting Scotland’s energy transition while building a lasting legacy for our local community,” said MPA Chief Executive, Tom Hutchison. “From offshore wind operations and our shore power system to the development of the Skills Academy within Customs House, our focus is on creating sustainable opportunities that will deliver long-term benefits for the people of Angus.”
Following his visit to the port, The Duke travelled on to Montrose Community Trust. At the Trust, he was shown plans for the Gable End Project, which will transform the entrance to Links Park Stadium into a modern, accessible facility. The development will include a dedicated dementia centre, digital lab, improved accessible seating and a sensory booth viewing space.