A Fife company is at the forefront of renewables sector developments after signing a deal with one of the world’s leading energy firms.
Burntisland Fabrications (BiFab) revealed yesterday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), which will see the firm join a list of key suppliers to deliver future offshore wind projects.
The so-called offshore wind alliance features a number of specialist energy, construction and design companies and the hope is the creation of a supplier framework will help to drive down the cost of electricity from offshore wind farms.
BiFab’s agreement has also been replicated by SSE with Atkins, Siemens plc, Siemens Transmission and Distribution Limited, and Subsea 7 Limited, all well-known firms in their field.
Over the next few months, the parties will work to agree the formal commercial arrangements of the alliance before embarking on design activities.
Jim Smith, director of offshore renewable at SSE, said, “The energy potential of offshore wind is vast, and in a resource and carbon-constrained world it is potential we need to fulfil.
“In doing so, we need to make sure we maximise value and create a sustainable supply chain.Innovative alliance”This innovative alliance brings together leading players in offshore wind and offshore oil and gas, with vast experience in energy, engineering and construction.”
The news is the latest boost for BiFab, which has sites in Burntisland, Methil and at Arnish in Stornoway, in terms of the continuing developments in the renewables sector.
With BiFab operating three fabrication facilities in Scotland, the company has emerged as the only major fabricator in Scotland.
The firm is fabricating structures for both wave and tidal power generation projects and has unrivalled experience in delivering sub-structures for offshore wind farms in particular.
BiFab’s workforce peaked at over 1000 a mixture of staff and agency posts-last year, and the firm had a turnover of £90 million.
It has also introduced an apprenticeship training programme with 70 apprentices employed and a further 30 planned over the next two years.
Announcing the latest deal, managing director John Robertson said the firm was delighted to have been selected by SSE for the alliance.
“There has been a period of extensive change in the offshore energy world which now encompasses renewables such as wind, wave and tidal energy as well as oil and gas production and BiFab’s aim is to be at the forefront of all of these sectors,” said Mr Robertson.
“BiFab has unrivalled experience in the delivery of sub-structures for offshore wind farms and this agreement with SSE, along with major investments ongoing at all three facilities in Scotland, will put us in a strong position as one of the most advanced fabrication operations in Europe.”
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user phault.