Workers have been furloughed at a Highland marine energy firm as it looks to mitigate the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
Simec Atlantis Energy confirmed today it has placed 27 employees on furlough who are currently unable to work.
It said it will seek to make an application to cover the cost of its furloughed staff through the UK Governments’ Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
However, it added that further staff may also be placed on furlough as the situation develops.
The firm’s top brass will also take a 20% wage cut.
Simec Atlantis chief executive Tim Cornelius and his executive team will take a 20% wage deferral.
The firm’s Megen tidal project in the Pentland Firth will continue to export power to the grid.
Simec Atlantis added that its Uskmouth Power Station conversion project work programme is “under review” as the firm adapts to constraints imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing workplace disruption.
The firm said in a statement: “Outside of the staffing requirements described above, management has this week placed 27 employees, who are currently unable to work, on furlough and it will seek to make an application to cover the cost of these furloughed employees through the UK Governments’ Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
“Additional employees may be placed on furlough in the coming weeks in response to the changing situation.
“To support the company and preserve liquidity through the current period of uncertainty, the chairman and all non-executive directors will take a 20% cut in their fees and will defer payment of the remaining fees with immediate effect and the chief executive officer and executive team will take a 20% salary deferral.
“Management are also actively implementing additional cost saving measures across our business including further reductions in project, overhead and people costs in order to preserve cash and provide the business with maximum flexibility.”