Serious economic consequences over BiFab turbine deal says MP

Kirkcaldy’s MP has warned of the “serious economic consequences” of BiFab losing out on a multi-million £ wind turbine work.

Neale Hanvey branded the decision to snub the yards in Burntisland and Methil as perplexing as the turbines will be built off the region’s coast - by companies thousands of miles away.

He has raised his concerns in a letter to Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands.

Mr Hanvey says the decision will impact on Scotland’s renewables sector, and the local economy as a possible jobs boost was lost.

He said: “On the face of it, this is an utterly perplexing decision that will have a serious impact on jobs in my constituency, not to mention the environmental issues around shipping in components from the other side of the planet.

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“Questions need to be answered about how we can have a Scottish-based energy company refusing to award a Fife-based, and part publicly-owned, manufacturing company contracts relating to Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm.”

He said local people were “understandably angry” at the decision.

He continued: “They will rightly wonder why workers and communities on the doorstep of projects that will harness the rich renewable resources of Scotland are effectively excluded from any direct benefit.

“It is clear we need a robust strategy to ensure the people of Scotland feel that benefit in a meaningful and consistent way.”

Mr Hanvey said he understood the issues surrounding the process called ‘contracts for difference - and “the way companies aren’t punished for not delivering on their bids in the time frames and budgets they promised.”

He added: “This leads to speculative bidding and punishes companies who are more upfront about the true costs of the project.

“That is a UK system and if the Minister tells me that is where the challenge lies, then I will pursue this at Westminster.

“We must not see our renewables industry undermined and undercut.”

The matter was also raised by David Torrance, MSP for Kirkcaldy, at Topical Questions at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.

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