Scottish trade unions and politicians have demanded that local company BiFab is chosen to fabricate jackets for the 450MW Neart na Gaoithe wind farm after reports the work is to be carried out abroad.
Workers’ representatives and members of parliament have suggested that project developer EDF Renewables has selected a lead foundations contractor that is planning to manufacture most or all of the 54 jackets in Indonesia.
The full story on the contracting process at NnG is in today’s subscriber-only issue of reNEWS.
Unions GMB and Unite, supported by the Scottish Trades Union Congress, have launched a campaign to “force” EDF to place work with BiFab.
“Why is EDF subcontracting the manufacture of the NnG turbine jackets to a yard half way around the world in Indonesia? That’s a slap in the face for Fife and for Scotland,” said STUC general secretary Grahame Smith.
Unite Scotland secretary Pat Rafferty said: “The yards here are ready and waiting to get started on work that could create jobs for over 1000 people, unlocking much needed investment and growth for our future.”
Speaking in Holyrood yesterday Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she fully-supports the campaign. ”The Scottish Government sends a very clear message to all companies that are letting such contracts that we want Scotland to be treated fairly,” she said.
Scottish Labour will lead a debate on the future of BiFab next Wednesday.
Labour MSP Richard Leonard said: “Just last week, EDF boasted that it is creating 60 new office jobs in Edinburgh, but what we are talking about is a renewable energy contract worth £2bn just 10 miles off the coast of Fife that would generate more than 1000 green manufacturing jobs in Fife.”
EDF said: “We are currently going through a procurement process and once the contracts are ready to be announced we will do so.”
The Contracts for Difference-backed wind farm is due online in 2023.