SSE urged to back BiFab

MSPs have written to SSE urging the developer to issue jacket foundation contracts for its 558MW Beatrice offshore wind farm to BiFab in order to “safeguard jobs.”

Cross party ministers urged for fabrication work to go to BiFab’s Fife and Arnish Yards, saying that if work does not go there the “impact on workers, their families and the fragile local economies will be devastating.”

The letter, addressed to SSE chief executive Alistair Phillips Davies and signed from MSP’s Claire Baker (Lab), Wilie Rennie (Lib Dem), David Torrance (SNP), Murdo Fraser (Con) and Patrick Harvie (Green) said: “We are persuaded that if the BiFab yards are not awarded a part of the Beatrice contract then it will almost certainly jeopardise the yards futures. The BiFab workforce has contracted from over 2400 down to just 80 permanent employees and 50 on fixed term contracts.

“If the contract for building these jackets does not go to these Scottish yards then the impact on the workers, their families and the fragile local economies they are located in will be devastating.  Two of these yards are already mothballed pending the outcome of the contract award process.

“The renewable energy industry could provide a lifeline to revitalise out indigenous fabrication, engineering and steel industry base. We hope therefore that SSE will consider its responsibilities to the wider Scottish community and economy in deciding on the award of this contract.”

SSE owns a 15% stake in BiFab which it acquired in 2010 for £11m.

GMB Scotland, the union for fabrication workers, welcomed the letter. Regional officer Jim Moohan said: “A lot of money from Scottish consumers will go to make the Beatrice project viable. We applaud this initiative by this cross party group of MSPs  to ensure that Scottish workers get a fair slice of the fabrication work on this project to keep them and the yards in work.”

Image: Beatrice (SSE)