A charity’s opposition to offshore wind farms has helped put BiFab on the brink of collapse, a union has claimed.
The GMB said that failed legal challenges from RSPB Scotland have stalled major wind projects, contributing to the lack of work at the struggling fabricators, which has yards in Fife.
DF Barnes, the firm’s new owners, is seeking new contracts that would allow bosses to call off the redundancy plan.
Of the 17 offshore wind farms given planning approval in Scotland, just four are operational.
Gary Smith, from GMB Scotland, told the Sunday Post: “In the time that the RSPB attempted to block a number of offshore wind farms, projects have switched owners, technology has evolved – forcing the recalibration of original plans – and not a single jacket or turbine has been built in Scotland.
“That’s work that could and should be delivered by the likes of BiFab in Fife and Lewis, where the remaining workers were served redundancy notices because there are no contracts on the horizon to sustain their employment.”
RSPB’s court challenge covered four developments – including Inch Cape, off the Angus coast, and Neart na Gaoith, near Fife.
NNG was approved by the Scottish Government in 2014, but RSPB’s legal fight over the impact of sea birds was thrown out by Supreme Court judges last year.
The £2 billion project, which will create 2,000 jobs during construction alone, is being cautiously touted as a potential saviour of the BiFab yards.
Mr Smith said without the legal delays, the project would already be providing work.
Aedan Smith, head of planning and development at RSPB Scotland, said: “We have provided invaluable specialist advice to help develop Scotland’s low carbon industry in harmony with Scotland’s world famous natural environment.
“This has resulted in a win-win, with benefits for jobs whilst protecting wildlife.”
