EDINBURGH-headquartered Forth Ports Limited is announcing plans to create a £40m renewable energy hub at the Port of Leith.
The ambitious proposals for the creation of Scotland’s largest renewable energy hub would sit on a 175 acre site and would support Scotland’s economic recovery and energy transition plans and the achievement of Scotland’s net zero carbon emissions targets.
This £40m private investment will see the creation of a riverside marine berth capable of accommodating the world’s largest offshore wind installation vessels.
The facility will feature a heavy lift capability of up to 100 tonnes per square metre (t/m2), backed up by 35 acres of adjacent land for logistics and marshalling.
Charles Hammond OBE, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said: “We are committed to playing a significant role in the renewable energy sector and, through that, Scotland’s energy transition to net zero as we also tackle the challenges of Covid-19 recovery and economic regeneration.
“This is a pump-priming investment in logistics and marine infrastructure at the Port of Leith as we harness Scotland’s natural resources for future generations and has the potential to play a significant part in our forthcoming Firth of Forth Green Port bid.
Leith’s proximity to the North Sea, which is set to become home to many more offshore wind developments, coupled with the natural deep waters of the Firth of Forth, makes this an ideal location to support not only those developments already planned, but the pipeline of projects that are sure to follow.”
City of Edinburgh Council leader, Councillor Adam McVey, added:“Renewable energy plays a vital role in tackling climate change and in securing a bright economic future for everyone in our Capital.
“The increase in jobs for people in Leith and across Edinburgh is hugely welcome and underlines our economic resilience as a City.
“The continuing regeneration of clean industry in the docks with the development of the Port of Leith Renewable Energy Hub is an important and welcome step in supporting the needed transition to a cleaner, greener future for the next generation.”
With existing offshore wind farm development plans and the Crown Estate Scotland’s ScotWind seabed leasing round still to come, offshore wind alone has the potential to create enough work for this renewables hub for the next 30 years.
