Montrose Port Authority Launches Scotland’s First Shore Power Facility

Montrose is the first Scotland port to deliver shore power catering to the offshore supply vessels, officially starting with the Magne Viking.

The Montrose Port Authority has initiated a 50-50 joint venture with the UK wing of Plug AS from Norway, Plug Shore Power, to create Plug Montrose, which has reportedly invested a whopping £1 million in shore power at the abovementioned port.

This joint venture denotes Plug’s first project in the UK, which developed shore power at many ports in Norway, beginning with Bergen in 2018.

The shore power facility is operational on berths 1 and 2 at the Montrose Port after a major upgrade to the port’s quayside infrastructure and substation carried out by the Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (abbreviated as SSEN).

The port’s first vessel to utilize shore power was the Norwegian vessel Magne Viking from Viking Supply Ships.

Captain Tom Hutchison, the CE of the Montrose Port Authority, stated that the launch of shore power at berths 1 and 2 represents a transformative point for the Montrose Port Authority and the broader maritime industry of Scotland.

The port looks at the prospect of expanding shore power to its berths.

The move to shore power will move Montrose Port closer to its goal of becoming the first carbon-neutral port in Scotland.

According to figures from the UK’s Department of Transport, 72 percent of a port’s emissions come from vessels at berth, with vessels manoeuvring accounting for an additional 16 percent.

Vessels contributed up to 90 per cent of a port’s total emissions.

The CEO of Plug, Maria Bos, said that they are looking forward to offering support to Montrose Port in attaining its ambition of emerging as Scotland’s first-ever carbon-neutral port and expanding its business to other ports of the UK.

Màiri McAllan, the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy, was also asked for her response.

She stated that Scotland is establishing itself as a pioneer in renewable energy and is now regarded worldwide as an attractive investment destination.

This is demonstrated by Plug’s choice to form its first collaboration with a port in the UK at Montrose Harbour.

Scotland’s maritime industry is a thriving sector critical to economic growth.

Port repurposing, in addition to their more traditional functions, is critical for Scotland’s economy and the country’s successful switch to renewables, especially offshore wind.

Shore power installation will help Scotland reach net zero emissions while also benefiting Montrose residents by lowering sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.

Reference: Montrose

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