Major investment will see Port of Leith skyline change forever
A major investment has been made at the Port of Leith as it gears up to play a key role in Scotland’s renewables future.
As even-figure privately funded investment at the port, which is owned by Forth Ports, will being an additional 25 hectares of land to the market.
The investment will see the skyline of the port changed, with the final stage soft he demolition of the landmark Imperial Dock grain silo being completed.
Bosses said the port has seen an “unprecedented” surge in activity over the past few years with the energy transition to low carbon becoming a strong influence in the future of Scotland and Leith.
The site has already been involved in major renewable projects including the storage of offshore wind farm foundation jackets, thanks to its deep water quays.
Shipping and onshore eco - nomic activity has been boosted at the east coast port this year with its key role in sup - porting ED F Renew ab les’ and ESB’S offshore wind farm Near t na Gaoithe at various stages of the project.
This key project will supply enough low carbon electricity for some 375,000 homes and has a capacity of some 450 megawatts of low carbon energy.
David Webster, senior port manager at Forth Ports, said: “This investment is another example of our commitment to bring large-scale renewable st oS cot land. This will allow Leith to build on its current success as well as complement the significant upgrades
that are underway in our Dundee facility.
“The foundation logistics in Leith will be supported by the wind turbine hub in Dundee. We see this as the future to local content in Scotland that will drive employment.”
Matthias Haag, project director for Neart na Gaoithe (NNG), said: “It’s really exciting to see the Port of Leith making such a huge investment in offshore renewables, especially as it will play a key role in the suc
cessful delivery of NNG.
“Since the offshore construction of NNG started in August, the Port of Lei this 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.
“We’ve always said we’ re committed to using the Scottish supply chain as much as possible and we’ re really pleased to be working with the
Port of Leith.”
Kenny Williamson, deputy p or t manager, said: “I have b een working in the Por t of Leith for 37 years and have never seen so many vessels in port with so much activity going on.
“This is an exciting time for Leith and Edinburgh as we adapt, upgrade and regenerate the port to create opportunities in Scotland’s emerging industries We have been successful in winning a number of contracts this year. ”he added: “Leith is the largest port on the east coast of Scotland and has extensive deep water nontidal berths connected to more than 140 hectares of land.”
Forth Ports own sand operates eight commercial ports in the UK–Ti lb ur yon the Thames, Dundee on the Firth of Tay and six on the Firth of Forth – Leith, Grangemouth, Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland