Wind farms deal revives mothballed steel plants
TWO mothballed steel plants are to start production again in September after winning contracts to produce materials for wind towers.
Liberty House’s newly-acquired steel plants at Dalzell in Motherwell and Clydebridge in Cambuslang, both Lanarkshire, will make heavy-duty plate required for offshore renewables schemes.
Both plants were mothballed in October.
Liberty House said the move progressed its plans to build a fullyintegrated steel and engineering business across the UK.
The company bought the steel tower production equipment from Mabey Bridge Renewables at Chepstow, Wales, which was closed down in September.
The equipment will form the heart of a new manufacturing centre which will eventually supply the growing offshore wind market and turbine casings for tidal lagoon power.
The company is planning to recruit a workforce of more than 100 for the enterprise, including engineers, welders, fabricators, assemblers, blasters and painters, with further jobs expected.
The Scottish plate mills began recruitment last week with a view to resuming production in September.
Liberty said it hoped to re-employ former Tata Steel employees who lost their jobs when the plants were mothballed by the Indian firm. But applications are being encouraged from those looking to join the steel industry for the first time.
Liberty said it planned to offer apprenticeship opportunities, including modern apprenticeships in engineering, finance and commercial planning.
The company will announce the location of its new manufacturing centre within the next few weeks. The group’s executive chairman, Sanjeev Gupta, said: ‘We are very excited about this new opportunity.
‘It is an excellent example of how we are integrating our steel production and manufacturing supply chain to create a robust industrial eco-system.
‘It is particularly appropriate that this new business will supply the renewable energy market in view of our own “Greensteel” strategy, which involves investing in green energy as the basis of a competitive UK steel and engineering industry.’
Liberty is one of a number of companies interested in buying Tata Steel’s UK business.
The Indian conglomerate is still assessing bids.
World Wildlife Fund Scotland director Lang Banks said: ‘Following this week’s announcement of over 100 new jobs at Nigg on the Cromarty Firth to support the construction of an offshore wind farm, it’s great to hear of the potential for even more jobs linked to renewables.
‘This news underscores the type of jobs benefits that will come as the UK transitions to a zero-carbon economy.
‘However, to ensure we reap the maximum benefits of becoming a zero-carbon nation, government must put in place the necessary policies to fully support this important transition.’
Hugh McNeal, chief executive of RenewableUK, said: ‘This is great news and shows how the renewable industry can provide a market for steel produced in Britain.
‘The growth of renewables in the UK is a huge opportunity for British businesses, as high demand for quality steel has increased.’
Jenny Hogan, director of policy at Scottish Renewables, said: ‘Renewable energy already supports 21,000 Scottish jobs, and it’s good news that a number of those employed at steelworks in Motherwell and Cambuslang could soon be joining the industry’s supply chain.’
‘Potential for even more jobs’