Windfarm delay puts skilled jobs at risk

Sir, - We are writing to highlight our concerns arising from the decision by the Scottish courts to uphold a challenge by the RSPB of the consent by Scottish Ministers for four offshore windfarm projects in the Firths of Forth and Tay.

Our companies, GeoSea, Prysmian, Siemens Plc and Siemens Transmission and Distribution Ltd are the main contractors for the Neart Na Gaoithe (NNG) project, which is one of the four.

We have made advanced plans for significant works to be assigned to the local supply chain in Scotland.

The project is expected to create hundreds of skilled jobs during its manufacturing, installation and operation phases, and support the creation of a sustainable new industry to help alleviate the downturn in the oil and gas industry that is being deeply felt.

We see Scotland as having potential to be a leading international centre for offshore wind expertise to compete with major centres in mainland Europe.

In 2015, we participated in supply chain events throughout Scotland and were very impressed with the interest expressed by local companies and the capacity of those companies to contribute to our construction plans for the £2 billion NNG project.

We trust now that Scottish Ministers will urgently consider how best to address the issues raised by the court ruling and to ensure that this major project for Scotland’s energy infrastructure is properly consented and brought into operation in a manner that addresses the concerns of the RSPB. Jan Klaassen, GeoSea (DEME Group. Mike Grainger, Siemens Transmission and Distribution Ltd. Clark Macfarlane, Siemens Wind Power and Renewables. Ian Knowles, Prysmian Group.

An offshore wind development similar to that proposed for the Tay and Forth.