After exploring all options, both the UK and Scottish Governments have concluded that there is currently no legal route to provide further financial support to BiFab in its current form.
A joint working group will be formed to consider ways to strengthen the renewables supply chain in Scotland and to secure future opportunities.
In a joint statement, the governments have committed to exploring options for the future of the yards and to strengthen measures to support the renewables supply chain.
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government has been working for more than three years to support BiFab.
“We have left no stone unturned in our search for a solution to the challenges faced by the business. As a minority shareholder, we have been exhaustive in our consideration of the options available to us to financially support BiFab from public funds.
“The Scottish Government has been clear that State Aid regulations are a barrier to us providing guarantees on the contract from Saipem to build foundation jackets for the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) project. The UK Government has similarly concluded that there is no legal route for them to provide support.
“The situation at BiFab is a culmination of a number of issues, the main one being the unwillingness of the parent company and majority shareholder JV Driver to provide working capital, investment or guarantees for the company.
“We are determined to secure a new future for the yards in Fife and the Western Isles. We will explore options for the future of these sites and, through this new working group, work with the UK Government to strengthen the renewables and clean energy supply chain.”
Joint statement on BiFab from the Scottish and UK Governments:
Following discussion between the UK and Scottish Governments, ministers in both governments have concluded that, in the absence of a shareholder guarantee provided by BiFab’s majority shareholder, JV Driver, there is no legal route for either the Scottish or UK Governments to provide BiFab with the guarantees it would need to secure its contract with Saipem.
The UK and Scottish Governments are committed to investment in renewables and clean energy. The development of a domestic renewables supply chain is a key priority for both governments.
The UK and Scottish Governments are therefore convening a Joint Working Group to explore how existing policy measures can be used to strengthen the renewables and clean energy supply chain in Scotland, and look at options for the future of the sites where BiFab currently operates and other opportunities around Scotland, in a manner consistent with respective devolved and reserved competencies.
Responding to last night’s Scottish and UK Government joint statement concerning the refusal of financial support for the stricken BiFab yards in Fife and Lewis, Joint Union Secretaries Gary Smith and Pat Rafferty said: “Until the Scottish Government publishes the legal advice over its decision to walk away from BiFab, all the difficult questions remain unanswered.
“This evening’s statement is also disappointing given that our members learned of this through the media – it makes a mockery of the so called fair work agenda.
“The demise of Scotland’s best shot at building a manufacturing supply chain for offshore wind is down to a decade of failure from successive SNP and Tory Governments.”
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