SSE has appointed Aberdeen-based Seaway7 as preferred supplier for foundations and inter-array cables at its proposed 1.4GW Berwick Bank B offshore wind farm, with the work expected to support 465 UK jobs.
Around 400 roles would be in Scotland. The appointment remains subject to a final contract award and SSE taking a final investment decision on the project, expected late next year.
Seaway7, part of the Subsea7 group, would design, supply and install around 90 fixed-bottom turbine foundations and subsea inter-array cables. The project is planned for the outer Firth of Forth, approximately 38km off the Scottish Borders coastline.
Scottish port activity accounts for 200 roles
The employment estimate includes 160 direct roles at Seaway7, led from Aberdeen, and 105 indirect roles in the UK supply chain. A further 200 direct and indirect jobs would support foundation marshalling at a Scottish port, to be announced.
Including earlier commitments, SSE says Berwick Bank could create or support around 600 UK jobs, with more than 500 in Scotland. These include 100 new long-term jobs and around 30 construction roles associated with its planned operations and maintenance base at Montrose Port.
UK Government Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:
“This is what reindustrialising Scotland looks like: good jobs, built on the skills of Scottish workers, delivering the power our country needs.
“This contract will support hundreds of jobs and strengthen Scotland’s role in the energy supply chain. It means more opportunity for Scottish workers and more homegrown power to protect families from the volatility of global fossil fuel markets.”
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism & Transport Stephen Flynn said:
“Scotland is at the forefront of the global energy transition and this announcement of 400 jobs in Scotland is another example of our strength in renewables, and the significant impact our offshore wind industry is having by creating high-quality, well-paid jobs in the North East and across the country.
“The Scottish Government is ensuring that people right across Scotland can benefit from that growth with a commitment to invest up to £500 million in supporting critical offshore wind port infrastructure and the supply chain, helping to attract investment, create jobs and further strengthen confidence in Scotland as a destination for offshore wind development.
“By matching Scotland’s world-class energy expertise with the opportunities offshore wind and renewables are creating, we will deliver lasting economic benefits for generations to come.”
Agreement builds on previous offshore projects
SSE and Seaway7 previously delivered Beatrice and Seagreen under EPCI contracts. Seaway7 is also carrying out turbine installation work at Dogger Bank.
Steve Wilson, Director of Offshore Wind, SSE Renewables, said:
“Today’s announcement builds on our successful collaboration with Seaway7 through previous Scottish offshore projects and means Berwick Bank B is now expected to create or support more than 500 jobs in Scotland and around 600 across the UK through the commitments we’ve made so far. That demonstrates the real value of continued investment in offshore wind for skilled UK and Scottish jobs, businesses and communities. Maintaining a strong pipeline of projects such as Berwick Bank gives the domestic supply chain confidence to invest in people, skills and capability, while delivering the secure, affordable and homegrown energy needed all across the UK.”
Lloyd Duthie, CEO of Seaway7, said:
“We are proud to have been selected by SSE Renewables as the preferred supplier for Berwick Bank B and to continue a relationship that has successfully delivered major offshore wind projects including Beatrice, Seagreen and Dogger Bank. This agreement reflects the benefits of our early engagement, strong collaboration between our organisations and the expertise of our teams in delivering the optimum solution for this complex offshore wind development.”
Foundations would be installed in water depths averaging 52 metres and reaching 59.7 metres. SSE says the project would become the world’s deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind farm on completion. Installation would use Seaway7’s Seaway Alfa Lift, Seaway Strashnov and Seaway Phoenix vessels.
