UK Renewables Revolution Spins Off New Jobs

Brian Wilson, the UK’s Energy Minister, welcomed the news that Arnish fabrication yard in Stornaway will re-open within weeks time to undertake its first order for wind energy, creating substantial job opportunities at a fabrication yard that had previously been closed five years ago.

London, England – June 4, 2003 [SolarAccess.com] “This a fabulous result for the Isle of Lewis and the whole renewables industry,” Wilson said. “It sends out the strongest possible message that Renewable Energy is not just about environmental benefits but also offers huge manufacturing potential.” The news comes as Cambrian Engineering confirmed a contract for the build of the new Scroby Sands wind farm project. Under this contract they will transfer the construction of generator towers, for the Crystal Rig project, from Bangor to Arnish fabrication yard. This will provide a major economic boost, securing jobs in the region. The Scroby Sands scheme will see a total of 30 turbines sited at Scroby Sands, 3km east of Great Yarmouth, producing enough electricity to power 41,000 homes. Scroby Sands will be the largest offshore wind farm in the UK, and is the first of three offshore windfarm developments planned from the 18 potential sites identified by developers. “Arnish has been brought back from the dead by the renewables revolution and I believe that we can have many more excellent results of a similar nature as the process develops,” Wilson said. The Arnish yard was established 25 years ago by Fred Olsen, but was closed down five years ago. The yard is now under control of Cambrian Engineering. They have been sub-contracted to work on the Crystal Rig project by Fred Olsen Renewables. The re-opening represents the completion of a full circle brought about by the renewables revolution. The UK’s Energy White Paper, published in February, included a number of measures designed to help meet the goal of cutting emissions of carbon dioxide by 60 percent by 2050, including doubling the share of electricity from renewables by 2020 from the existing 2010 target of 10 percent. The UK’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will provide an additional £60 million (US$97 million) for renewable projects, bringing spending on Renewable Energy up to £348 million (US$566.5 million) in total over four years. Also by reforming planning rules to unblock hurdles to Renewable Energy projects, the White Paper aims to attract investment into the growing renewables industry that can benefit the whole economy. The other two wind farms to be granted permission are Rhyl Flats, and North Hoyle, Wales. The first offshore wind farm to be built was Blythe, of the North East of England.