A Fife firm that has developed a safer access system for people use on offshore wind turbines has been boosted by a £250,000 Scottish Enterprise grant.
Inverkeithing-based Pict Offshore has developed a motion compensated personnel hoist allows technicians to transfer on and off turbines without the need for access ladders and boat landing metalwork on turbines.
The new grant is part of a wider multi-million-pound investment that will see the firm expand production of its Get Up Safe system and create up to 13 new jobs this year
Pict Offshore managing director Philip Taylor said: “The local expertise in offshore wind that exists in Scotland continues to play a key part of our growth.
“We have ambitious plans for the future and the expansion of our capabilities will allow us to continue our growth as we lead the way in ensuring the safety of offshore wind personnel.”
Pict Offshore was formed in May last year and is a joint venture between Limpet Technology and Orsted, the world’s largest developer of offshore wind farms.
The firm plans to accelerate the development of its research and development and assembly capabilities as it ramps up production.
Mr Taylor added: “The support we have received from Scottish Enterprise and the ORE Catapult as well as Orsted has also been instrumental in bringing this new technology to market and to bringing down the time to market for the Get Up Safe system.”
The hoist system won an innovation award at the prestigious Scottish Green Awards in December.
Head of low carbon transition at Scottish Enterprise Andy McDonald said: “We have witnessed this innovative Scottish company’s growth to develop a transformative product for offshore wind – made in Fife and used across the world.
“The network of support around Fife Energy Park is also at the heart of this project as it is host to ORE Catapult’s Levenmouth Demonstrator Turbine and allowed the company to test its products on the world’s most advanced open access offshore wind turbines.
“This collaborative approach underpins Scottish Enterprise’s ethos in enabling growth alongside partners and highlights our focus on renewables and commitment to a low carbon economy.”
Assembly of the Get Up Safe systems will take place in Inverkeithing and Pict Offshore aims to start placing orders with the local supply chain.
Scotland’s Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse praised the partnership approach by Limpet and Orsted.
He said: “If this collaborative approach was more widely adopted in the sector, it would be a very positive step towards increasing the level of local content in projects for Scotland and further afield.”
rmclaren@thecourier.co.uk