Arnish capitalises on marine energy boom
21 Apr 11
Burntisland Fabrications' Arnish fabrication yard is
capitalising on the growth of Scotland's marine energy sector with
new work from Aquamarine Power.
Workers at the yard are currently manufacturing the foundation
piles for Aquamarine Power's 'Oyster' wave energy device which will
be installed in Orkney this summer.
The two foundations - which are 2.75 metres in diameter and 18
metres long - will be used to attach our Oyster wave energy
device to the seabed in water depths of around 12 metres.
Two additional Oysters
We have now awarded the Arnish yard an extension to the contract
to manufacture the foundation piles for two additional Oyster wave
machines which will be installed in Orkney in 2012 and 2013.
The project is being supported through grant funding awarded by
Scottish Enterprise and the Carbon Trust Marine Renewables Proving
Fund.
The Arnish yard, which now employs 120 people, has already
fabricated the metal tubes or 'cans' for the Oyster device, which
is being assembled at BiFab's main facility at Methil in Fife.
Installation this summer
Fabrication of Oyster is on track for completion in June. It
will then be shipped north to the European Marine Energy Centre
(EMEC) near Stromness in Orkney for installation this summer.
This will be our second full-scale device installed at
sea. Our first Oyster was officially switched on in Orkney by
First Minister Alex Salmond in November 2009.
World-class fabrication contractor
"We selected BiFab to build Oyster for two reasons," says
Aquamarine Power Chief Executive Martin McAdam. "Firstly, they are
a world-class fabrication contractor with over 20 years experience
in the offshore oil and gas industry. Secondly, they are a Scottish
firm with yards on both coasts.
"We are committed to building a world-leading marine energy
industry here in Scotland and our goal is to use local Scottish
firms such as BiFab and the Arnish yard for future work, wherever
possible.
"As the lead industry partner in the Hebridean Marine Energy
Futures project we can see clearly the economic and social benefits
that could be generated in the Western Isles through a thriving
marine energy industry.
Working with local companies
"In Orkney we have worked with more than 30 local firms, employ
people locally and have spent directly almost £2 million in the
Orkney economy.
"We hope that, in time, we could build an even more positive
story in the Western Isles. Lewis has some of the best wave
resources in the world and we hope to announce a project in the
Hebrides very soon."