Almost 500 skilled offshore wind jobs will be supported across north-east Scotland and throughout the UK after SSE appointed Aberdeen-based Seaway7, part of the Subsea7 group, as preferred supplier to deliver key infrastructure for its 1.4GW Berwick Bank B offshore wind project.
A total of 465 UK roles will be delivered through SSE’s Preferred Supplier Agreement with Seaway7 for the project’s Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) scope. Of these jobs, 400 will be in Scotland.
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 these jobs in Scotland.
UK Government Energy Minister Michael Shanks and the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy Stephen Flynn welcomed the news as evidence of how offshore wind investment can support skilled jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains and drive industrial renewal while delivering lasting economic benefits.
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 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.
If built to its full capacity, Berwick Bank could become the world’s largest offshore wind farm on completion, capable of generating enough homegrown electricity to power around 6.5 million UK homes annually and meeting more than 6% of current UK electricity demand.
It would also be capable of injecting around £8 billion into the UK economy and support over 9,000 UK jobs to drive growth and decarbonisation.
SSE is the largest listed company run from Scotland. It has a stock market value of £31 billion and employs almost 15,000 people. SSE is currently undertaking a £29 billion investment plan in new and upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure across the north of Scotland.
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.”
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.
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.”
The appointment builds on SSE and Seaway7’s longstanding offshore wind partnership, including successful collaboration on Beatrice and Seagreen and ongoing work at Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
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.”
Seaway7 CEO Lloyd Duthie 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.”
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.