Work is starting on a £3million upgrade to the Arnish yard at Stornoway to cope with demand for offshore renewables.
Inverness-based building company Rok is carrying out the work on the major manufacturing yard at Arnish Point as part of the first project in a four-year property contract with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Work at Arnish includes re-cladding of the existing 129,170sqft fabrication facility using advanced technology materials. This is expected to be complete by spring.
HIE’s area manager Archie Macdonald said: “We recognise the key role Arnish has played in developing Scotland’s renewable energy industry. Since HIE took over the lease of Arnish, it has opened up the opportunity for the Outer Hebrides to gain a foothold in an expanding global industry. The building’s tenants, BiFab, a fabrication company operating in both the renewables and oil and gas sectors, anticipates that the upgrade will enable the facility to grow its already important position in the renewables and heavy engineering sectors.”
Among a range of contracts, BiFab will build the full-scale prototype of Scotland’s most advanced tidal turbine for Hammerfest Strom, which will be deployed in the Pentland Firth next May.
BiFab is also positioning itself as the market leader in the supply of offshore windfarm substructures.
BiFab managing director John Robertson said: “The significant facilities Arnish offers and the skilled local labour force combine to make a major contribution to BiFab’s continuing success in supplying worldwide markets.”
Rok Scotland managing director Andy Mallice said: “We are delighted to begin our work with Highlands and Islands Enterprise on this exciting project at Arnish. We worked hard to secure the framework contract and it’s great to get started.
“Like any building firm, we are working in challenging times, and winning this major contract is welcome news for both Rok and our subcontractors. We have a strong track record of working throughout the Outer Hebrides and the Highlands and we look forward to building on this reputation under the new framework contract.”
The £3million funding was made available by the Scottish Government earlier this year.