Investment in the renewable energy industry is the focus of a visit by MSPs

18.06.2012

Equipping our future workforce with the right skills to meet anticipated growth in the renewable energy industry is the focus of a visit to Fife by MSPs from the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, as part of their inquiry into the Scottish Government's renewable energy targets.

Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee Murdo Fraser MSP said:

“For Scotland to be at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution, our future workforce must have the right mix of skills the industry requires.

“A key part of this Inquiry is determining if the renewables industry is geared up to meet these challenging targets. Having the right workforce with the right skills, will be absolutely critical to this.”

MSPs today visited BiFab which has tapped into the offshore energy sector and seen it emerge as a major contractor for wind, wave and tidal projects. The Committee also visited staff and students at the Future Skills Centre at Adam Smith College in Glenrothes, which is a £17.5m development bringing together engineering, construction, renewables and science with renewable energy and low carbon technologies at its heart.

John Robertson, Managing Director of BiFab said:

“BiFab are a leading manufacturer in the oil and gas sector and we continue to transfer our skills and expertise to the renewables sector covering wind wave and tidal.”

Ian Harrington, Principal at Adam Smith College added:

“It has been a great pleasure to meet this group of MSPs and show them our Future Skills Centre of which we are extremely proud. At Adam Smith College we’re focussed on developing new skills for local people and for the regional economy.

“We offer a range of renewable courses from entry level NC Engineering Systems with Renewables through to BSc (Hons) degree in Renewable Energy Technology.

“Our degree course is offered in conjunction with the University of Abertay, Dundee and Dundee College and we also work closely with other organisations and industry experts to ensure our students graduate with the vital skills and knowledge needed to benefit from and contribute to our country’s bright renewables future.”

Background

BiFab has produced major fabrications for the offshore oil and gas industry for many years. Its diversification into the offshore energy sector has seen it emerge as a major contractor for wind, wave and tidal projects.

The Committee launched its renewable energy inquiry into the achievability of the Scottish Government’s new revised targets within its 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy; specifically the challenging target that Scotland would generate the equivalent of 100 per cent of Scotland’s own electricity demand from renewable resources by 2020.

The Committee’s final report is expected to be published in the autumn after it has concluded evidence taking and consideration.