The port of Leith in Scotland – owned by Forth Ports – has made a major investment in its facilities to enhance its position in the offshore renewables market.
The port has extensive deepwater non-tidal berths connected to more than 140 ha of land. The seven-figure private investment will see an additional 25 ha of land linked to over 3 km of deepwater quayside.
Over the past few years, the port said it has seen an unprecedented surge in activity, with the energy transition to low carbon taking hold in Scotland.
David Webster, senior port manager at Forth Ports, said the investment demonstrates its commitment to bringing large-scale renewables to Scotland. He added: “This will allow Leith to build on its current success as well as complement the significant upgrades that are under way in our Dundee facility.”
The port has been able to respond to a range of project needs, including utilising the deep water for the storage of offshore wind farm foundation jackets as well as work associated with the subsea elements of the development of offshore wind farms. In particular, it played a key role in supporting EDF Renewables and ESB’s offshore wind farm Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) at various stages.
Matthias Haag, NnG project director at EDF, said: “Since the construction of NnG started in August, the port of Leith is the already marine logistics base for the pile casings. These casings will form part of the foundations on which the project’s 54 turbines and two substations will stand.”
