Fife MSPs have signed a letter calling for Kincardine Offshore Windfarm work to be awarded to troubled Fife manufacturing firm BiFab.
Politicians from all the major political parties have put their name to the letter, which states: “We believe that Bifab, due to the dedication and commitment of their workforce, is a company which can deliver projects.
“We are now reaching a stage where it is vital that the Bifab yards can secure new contracts to maintain this highly skilled workforce who are committed to the future of their yards and the quality of their work.
“We understand that the Kincardine project will soon be awarded and we would like to stress the value of Bifab being awarded this contract.”
Among those backing the call are Fife Labour MSPs Claire Baker and Alex Rowley, Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie and SNP MSPs Annabelle Ewing, Jenny Gilruth and David Torrance.
Mark Ruskell MSP of the Scottish Greens and Conservative MSPs Dean Lockhart and Alexander Stewart have also signed, along with politicians from across Scotland.
BiFab, which has yards in Burntisland, Methil and Arnish, faces a scramble to secure work, with a current contract for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm in the Moray Firth due to be complete next month.
And even if the Fife firm does secure more work, new contracts are not expected to be announced until May or June, leaving a gap in the order book.
The company narrowly avoided entering administration in November last year after it suffered cash flow problems.
Jobs were saved at the yards after the Scottish Government intervened and an agreement was reached with main contractor Seaway Heavy Lifting, Scottish and Southern Energy and project partners JCE Offshore.
The MSPs’ letter to the Kincardine Offshore Windfarm Project, planned to be nine miles off the Kincardineshire coastline, also suggested a statement of intent could be issued to Bifab to end the uncertainty faced by the workforce.
“A delegation of workers from the BiFab yards in Fife and Arnish, along with their GMB and Unite officers, met with a cross party group of MSPs at the Scottish Parliament last month,” said the letter.
“While the challenges at Bifab have been well documented, at no point have the skills, experience, commitment and determination of the workforce to their industry been in doubt.
“The renewable energy industry has a vital role to play in revitalising Scotland’s indigenous fabrication, engineering and steel industry base. It is a valuable sector to Scotland but too often the contract work is placed outside of Scotland.
“We hope therefore that the Kincardine Offshore Windfarm Project will reflect on its responsibility to the wider Scottish economy in deciding on the awarding of this contract.”
