SOME 400 skilled offshore jobs are to be supported across Scotland after SSE appointed Aberdeen-based Seaway7 to deliver key infrastructure for its Berwick Bank B offshore wind project.
The preferred supplier agreement with the Aberdeen firm relates to the project’s engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) scope, with a further 65 jobs to be supported across the wider UK.
The announcement brings the total number of Berwick Bank jobs created or supported across the UK to around 600 so far, with more than 500 of them in Scotland.
Subject to a final contract award, Seaway7 will design, supply, and install offshore wind turbine foundations and subsea inter-array cables for Berwick Bank B – which is targeting construction in the outer Firth of Forth, around 38km off the Scottish Borders coastline.
Of the new jobs announced, an estimated 160 direct roles will be with Seaway7, led from its Aberdeen base, with another 105 indirect roles in the UK domestic supply chain. A further 200 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be supported through turbine foundation marshalling roles at a Scottish port, which SSE and Seaway7 will announce in due course.
The total number of Scottish jobs created or supported by SSE so far through its Berwick Bank B commitments is now more than 500. This includes the 400 supported roles announced today through Seaway7 as well as 100 new long-term jobs and around 30 construction roles previously announced through SSE’s plans to establish Berwick Bank’s operations and maintenance base at Montrose Port.
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.”
Steve Wilson, director of offshore wind at SSE Renewables, added, “Today’s announcement builds on our successful collaboration with Seaway7 through previousScottish 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, commented, “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.”
The Seaway7 appointment remains subject to a final contract award and a final investment decision on Berwick Bank B by SSE, expected late next year.
