RE: Titanic shipbuilder says £270 million plans will create 200 jobs at Arnish15 Apr 2024 19:30
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Titanic shipbuilder says £270 million plans will create 200 jobs at Arnish
The proposed investment is also expected to create 400 jobs in Fife.
by Keith Findlay
April 15 2024, 5:00 pm
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First Minister Humza Yousaf, left, and Harland & Wolff chief executive John Wood at Arnish.
First Minister Humza Yousaf, left, and Harland & Wolff chief executive John Wood at Arnish. Image: Harland & Wolff
Fabrication giant Harland & Wolff (H&W) expects to create at least 200 new jobs at Arnish, on Lewis, through a £270 million investment in its two Scottish shipyards.
The company aims to transform its facility at Arnish, near Stornoway, and another in Methil, Fife, into major hubs for renewable energy.
H&W said its proposed project in Methil would result in an additional 400 jobs.
New opportunities at both locations would include those created by an apprenticeship and graduate programme for about 30 people, it added.
“The seas around Scotland are a rich resource for renewable energy. We feel the proposed investments into our sites would best maximise this opportunity and support growth in this increasingly vital sector.”
John Wood, chief executive, Harland & Wolff
The firm aims to “work closely with local suppliers and educational institutions to ensure the benefits of any investment are felt throughout the Methil and Arnish communities”.
H&W’s two Scottish sites have both advanced to the next stage of a key route to public and private sector partnership funding.
It is hoped the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (Sowec)’s Strategic Investment Model (Sim) programme will deliver major infrastructure upgrades.
According to H&W, support through the scheme will significantly boost its ability to service and maintain the “burgeoning” renewable energy.
Courier- Claire Warrander - BiFab Site -CR0029774- Methil -Picture shows: GV of the BiFab site in Methil which is now under the management of Harland and Wolff.29/07/21-Kenny Smith/ DCT Media
Harland and Wolff’s site in Methil. Image: Kenny Smith/ DCT Media
Arnish and Methil will become “state-of-the-art” centres for the fabrication and assembly of turbines and other structures for the offshore wind industry, the firm said.
Belfast-based H&W is best-known for its shipbuilding, including the ill-fated Titanic.
The company rescued the Arnish and Methil yards from administration in 2021
It applied to the Sowec scheme in partnership with Stornoway Port.
What’s in store for Arnish?
A £99m investment at Arnish is expected to deliver a new quay and floating dry dock.
This is forecast to increase the site’s construction capacity to 255 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity per installation season.
Meanwhile, an upgraded port at Stornoway would boast a laydown area of more than 24.5 acres, providing “ample space for the assembly and storage of renewable energy components.