A Fife company has been placed at the heart of Scotland’s renewable energy revolution after being awarded a contract to help construct the country’s most advanced tidal-powered turbine.
Norwegian developer Hammerfest Strom announced Burntisland Fabrications (BiFab) has been given the largest single contract for the fabrication of the substructure for the turbine, which will be installed at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney next year.
The deal, which is understood to be worth around £2 million, is likely to create jobs at BiFab’s site at Arnish in the north of Scotland and safeguard the company’s 500-strong workforce at the Methil Energy Park and Burntisland for some time to come.
With ScottishPower Renewables a major shareholder in Hammerfest Strom planning to have more than 100 machines up and running in the foreseeable future, the firm could feasibly be in line for much more work down the line.
Speaking in Oslo, First Minister Alex Salmond told The Courier the contract to BiFab was a significant step towards Scotland becoming the “energy powerhouse of Europe”, stressing Scotland has taken pole position in the drive to secure the economic benefits of greener business.
He confirmed Hammerfest Strom plans to invest £4 million in Scottish businesses, with BiFab receiving the bulk of that.
Mr Salmond said, “With unrivalled resources off our coast and a range of wave, tidal and offshore wind development already under way, Scotland leads the way in generating power offshore.
“Awarding £4 million of contracts to Scotland is a massive vote of confidence in the talent, expertise and infrastructure we have to support the development of a clean, green renewables future.”
He added, “This is a very auspicious day indeed not just for Scotland and Norway, but for the development of tidal flow energy in Europe.”
The turbine looks and acts similar to a conventional modern windmill, although its blades are shorter and reinforced to take on much stronger tidal forces.
The current drives the turbines, which automatically adjust their orientation to maximise output, while operators will also be able to predict when tides are at their strongest something that is not readily guaranteed with wind power.Scotland “best in the world”With the initial turbine set to be ready at Orkney next year, ScottishPower Renewables has already submitted the first planning application of its kind to new body, Marine Scotland, to install 10 of the HS1000 turbines at a site in the Sound of Islay on the west coast a project that will bring about the country’s first ever tidal array.
However, the company has also unveiled plans to create a 95-turbine project at Ness of Duncansby in the Pentland Firth as part of the Crown Estate’s first marine energy leasing round.
Hammerfest chief executive Stein Anderson said between five and 10 jobs would be created per turbine, which means hundreds of jobs could be in the pipeline over the coming years.
He said, “We’re in the middle of a kettle which is boiling.
“The natural resources are very, very good in Scotland which is a good starting point and secondly, there is a very good infrastructure in Scotland.”
He added, “In terms of financial support systems, they are the best in the world.
“There are also test facilities and incentives for developers so we are delighted with our choice.”
Mr Salmond said he firmly believed Scotland could create up to 60,000 green jobs in low-carbon and renewable energy industries by the end of the decade.
ScottishPower Renewables managing director Keith Anderson said the five-10 job estimate from Hammerfest was just the “tip of the iceberg.”
He said, “The jobs will start to grow exponentially as the industry gets bigger, so we are delighted that Hammerfest Strom has announced that it will be constructing the first HS1000 turbine in Scotland.
“We know that the company looked internationally to find the right levels of expertise to deliver this contract, so it is a major boost to Scotland’s renewable energy industry and to the wider economy to see this new technology going in to construction in Stornoway.”Potential for hundreds of jobsWhile Bifab will initially be involved in the production of the first tidal turbine Hammerfest Strom UK managing director Fraser McCreadie hinted the firm will be among the favourites to clinch contracts for future turbines potentially creating hundreds of jobs in Fife and in the north of Scotland.
He told The Courier, “We sought bids on an international basis for the substructure fabrication works, and are delighted that BiFab submitted the best value for money offer.”
Tuesday’s news was a huge shot in the arm for BiFab, which was forced to give assurances that more major projects were in the pipeline less than a fortnight ago after having to let go temporary agency workers called in to help build 31 structures for a wind farm in the Irish sea.
There had been fears that dozens of jobs could go at Arnish which was bought over by BiFab due to a lack of work, but the contract confirmation has helped to allay those concerns.
Managing director John Robertson said, “This is a very exciting product with great potential and we are pleased that the next phase of development will be manufactured here in Scotland at the BiFab Arnish facility Stornoway.
“It’s very good for Fife because we’re building up a strength in wind power there, but we’re also very keen to be involved in wave and tidal.”
He added, “It’s very important that the company is in all sectors and this is a good move for us.”
The 10-turbine array could be operational off Islay in 2013, while the Pentland Firth project could be online by 2017.Fife at “cutting edge”Tricia Marwick, MSP for Central Fife, said, “This is more good news for BiFab in Fife. This is a significant contract, not just for jobs, but for the potential for the future.
“It is once more recognition that BiFab is one of the most important players in the renewable energy sector, and that’s good news for the Fife Energy Park.”
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker said, “The award is great news for BiFab and is testament to the expertise and experience of the workforce here in Fife.
“Scotland has immense potential for renewable energy, and this latest innovative project will put Fife at the cutting edge of renewable technologies.”
She added, “The investment has real potential to kick-start a boom in production of renewable technologies, and could create thousands of jobs-not just here in Fife, but across Scotland.”
Fife Council leader Peter Grant said, “This contract is the latest example of the wide range of opportunities presented by the renewable energy sector.
“It’s great to see another Fife company playing a leading role in the development of this nationally significant sector, and BiFab should be commended for capturing another pioneering project.”