BiFab Starts Working on Beatrice Foundations

BiFab’s Arnish facility began work on the transition pieces and piles for the Beatrice offshore wind farm in mid-October, increasing the workforce at the site by 71 people, according to SSE.

Burntisland Fabrications (BiFab), a Fife based company with facilities at Burntisland, Methil and Arnish, won two multi-million pound contracts with Beatrice Offshore Wind Ltd’s Tier 1 suppliers Siemens and Seaway Heavy Lifting to provide a total of 26 jackets.

Martin Adam, BiFab’s Operations Director said: “The award of the BOWL work scope to Bifab has meant Arnish and local economy have now benefited from an increase of 71 well paid jobs which has come at a seasonal time of high costs due to winter climate and festive expenditure. The increase in work will also go some way in lessening the impact on the local economy of jobs lost in the offshore sector.

“Going forward into 2017 BOWL work will continue at Arnish until end of March and ensure the working yard is visible and available so new work, if available, can be placed going forward.”

Alongside BiFab, Beatrice foundations have put to work Bladt Industries, Smulders, Sif, and EEW SPC.

The Beatrice wind farm will comprise 84 Siemens 7MW turbines with a total capacity of 588MW.