Hundreds of jobs are on way as a result of major wind farm deal

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HUNDREDS of Fife jobs will be created when work returns to the Methil yard formerly owned by BiFab this summer.

InfraStrata acquired BiFab’s Methil and Arnish yards from administrators in February and the company wasted no time in securing a major deal.

It has signed a contract to fabricate eight wind turbine generator foundation jackets for the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm.

The contract is worth £26 million and is scheduled to get under way from July 1.

It is estimated the work will create around 290 direct and indirect Scottish jobs.

InfraStrata operates the former BiFab assets under its Harland & Wolff subsidiary. While Methil will be the base for the project, support may be provided from the company’s other facilities in Arnish, Appledore and Belfast.

The Port of Dundee is also playing a major part in the NnG project, with all 54 turbines for the project being assembled there. It has led to a £40m investment in the port.

Matthias Haag, NnG project director, said: “This is an important day for the offshore wind sector in Scotland.

“When we announced our main contractors in 2019, we made clear our commitment to the Scottish supply chain and the role it has to play in the construction of NnG.

“That’s why this contract signing is such good news. We are pleased the contract has been awarded to Harland & Wolff with the bulk of the work taking place in Scotland.

“With the Port of Dundee supporting the project as NnG’s marine hub, the Port of Leith as the marshalling point for the pile casings and planning permission recently granted for an operations and maintenance base at Eyemouth Harbour, Harland & Wolff joining our project is yet further evidence of our commitment to Scotland.”

In 2019, NnG owner EDF Renewables said “at least” eight turbine jackets would be manufactured by BiFab.

The Scottish Government pulling its financial guarantees for the delivery of this work in October led the deal to collapse and ultimately BiFab’s demise.

When InfraStrata bought the BiFab assets it said its ambitions were to bring 600 jobs to Fife.

Chief executive John Wood said the NnG contract was just a starting point, with hopes for more work in the pipeline.

He said: “We are delighted to have entered into this contract with Saipem. This contract paves the way for the execution and delivery of future fabrication contracts, a significant number of which are currently in advanced negotiations.”

Methil MP Peter Grant described the contract as a “massive boost” for Methil and the rest of Levenmouth.