TWO MSPs have called for a moratorium on new offshore wind contracts until the benefits to Scotland have been assured.
Labour MSP Alex Rowley and the SNP’s Richard Lyle called for “something to be done” to ensure benefits from multi-billion-pound contracts to build offshore wind farms are seen in Scotland.
It comes after BiFab entered administration following the collapse of a £2 billion contract to build turbine jackets.
Officials addressing the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee said that state aid rules prevent the Scottish Government from forcing companies to guarantee work or contracts for Scottish firms in the supply chain.
The current system requires bidders for offshore wind farm projects to detail the economic benefits that would come to Scotland, although no legally enforceable minimum is in place. Rowley said this system is “completely unacceptable”, adding that jobs coming to Scotland as a result of the contracts would be “in the hands of those developers and our ability to beg them for the crumbs”.
He asked: “Should we not be bringing forward a moratorium on all these developments until we can actually sort that out?”
Crown Estate Scotland is in control of the leasing of seabeds in Scottish waters for offshore wind farms.
Simon Hodge, its chief executive, said: “We have worked hard to create a context and an opportunity for developers to make a commitment to the Scottish supply chain, to demonstrate how they can work in collaboration, including through the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council, to achieve those ambitions of the offshore wind sector deal to play their part in helping to develop a successful supply chain.”
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