A Western Isles MP has called for the developers of a mammoth North Sea wind farm project to provide clarity on the number of Scottish jobs that will be created during construction.
Angus MacNeil, SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, said Perth-headquartered SSE Renewables should “share their plans” for local job content for the consented 103-turbine Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm – particularly for Scottish manufacturing firm Burntisland Fabrication (BiFab) in the regions of the Isle of Lewis and Fife.
He also hit out at the wind farm developer for allowing turbine jacket manufacturing work to go abroad – and in particular China – which was reported by the Press and Journal this month.
Mr MacNeil accused SSE Renewables of “acting unethically” and ignoring local communities.
He said: “It is in the public interest to know what promises were made by Seagreen to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that Seagreen would achieve as part of a successful bid for taxpayer funded Contracts for Difference (CfD).
“It is only right that we know which parts of the contract SSE plan to place in Scotland, particularly at this difficult time economically.
“There are shovel ready projects and yards waiting to build wind farm jackets which would employ people in Arnish on Lewis and in Fife.
“It is important that SSE fully communicate their intentions on this so that they can be held accountable.”
A spokeswoman for SSE Renewables said: “Contract negotiations are still ongoing, therefore SSE Renewables and its partner Total wouldn’t comment on any commercial arrangements.
“Seagreen is committed to maximising opportunities throughout the supply chain for Scottish companies and businesses, with Montrose Port announced as home to the Operations and Maintenance base, creating local jobs not just during construction but for the operational life of the project, Seaway 7’s Aberdeen base responsible for installation of inter-array cables and foundations and Aberdeen based Petrofac delivering engineering, procurement, construction, installation, testing and commissioning of the onshore and offshore substations.
“Further announcements on Scottish content will made in due course as more Tier 2 and Tier 3 contracts are finalised.”
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