SSE has named Montrose Port on Scotland's Angus coast as its preferred site for the operations and maintenance base for the planned 1.4GW Berwick Bank B offshore wind farm, a move set to create 100 new full-time jobs.

The announcement was made at an event at Montrose Port attended by Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, who welcomed the company's continued investment in skilled green jobs.

First Minister John Swinney said: "SSE's selection of the Port of Montrose as its preferred location for its operations and maintenance base for Berwick Bank further strengthens Scotland's offshore wind supply chain and will create more jobs as well as investment in skills, infrastructure and local communities.

"Scotland's ports are critical enablers of our offshore wind ambitions and key economic assets for surrounding communities, with the Port of Montrose set to become one of the world's largest offshore wind operations and maintenance hubs, supporting the Berwick Bank, Seagreen and Inch Cape offshore wind farms.

"Through our strategic investment in offshore wind, we are helping to develop the infrastructure, skills and supply chains needed to secure long-term economic growth and export opportunities from the global market."

The 100 positions will include technicians and engineers responsible for the day-to-day running of the wind farm over an expected operating life of more than 35 years. The roles will be based at a new operational hub at Montrose Port's South Harbour, bringing long-term investment and skilled employment to Montrose and the wider Angus area.

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Around 30 construction jobs will also be supported as Montrose Port Authority's existing offices are refurbished and repurposed for the new base.

Berwick Bank B sits within SSE's wider 4.1GW Berwick Bank project in the outer Firth of Forth, about 38km off Scotland's east coast. In January, SSE secured a 20-year Contract for Difference for 1.4GW from Berwick Bank B in Allocation Round 7 of the UK Government's scheme, providing revenue certainty. A Final Investment Decision is expected next year.

If built to its full 4.1GW capacity, Berwick Bank could become the world's largest offshore wind farm, capable of generating enough electricity to power around 6.5 million UK homes annually and meet more than 6% of current UK demand, supporting energy security and reducing exposure to international price volatility.

UK Government Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: "This is a key milestone for Berwick Bank, which, when built in full, would be the world's largest single offshore wind farm.

"SSE's plans for Montrose Port show what the UK Government's drive for clean power can deliver for Scotland: around 100 skilled jobs that could last for decades, investment in our ports and opportunities for local businesses."

SSE described the decision to base daily operations in Montrose as a further step forward for the project.

Stuart Hood, Director of Offshore Wind Operations at SSE Renewables, said: "Scotland has built a world-class offshore wind industry, and today's announcement shows the economic opportunities that can follow when that expertise is matched with long-term investment.

"Our decision to choose Montrose as the preferred operations base for Berwick Bank B and create 100 new jobs reflects the strength of the port, its people and the local supply chain. SSE has built a strong relationship with Montrose Port over many years, and this latest long-term investment will help support the port's continued development as a leading offshore wind hub. This is clear evidence of the potential for the clean energy transition to drive skilled job creation and economic opportunity for communities up and down the country."

The number of jobs linked to Berwick Bank at Montrose Port could rise to nearly 300 full-time operational roles if the project's remaining A and C phases secure future Contracts for Difference and reach Final Investment Decisions.

SSE's choice also builds on its established partnership with Montrose Port, which already serves as the operations base for the Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm.

Tom Hutchison, CEO of Montrose Port Authority, said: "Our relationship with SSE is built on trust, delivery and years of working side by side. Being chosen for Berwick Bank B shows how far that partnership has come and how much SSE values what Montrose can offer. It will bring 100 skilled operational jobs to our region over the life of the wind farm and support a further 30 during construction of the base. That matters enormously to us as a trust port.

"We are proud to be a long-term partner to SSE and grateful for their continued confidence in Montrose."