Joint venture to secure future of Scottish wind turbine towers producer

But concerns remain over how many of the 120 workers will keep their jobs

The future of the Skykon wind turbine tower manufacturing and assembly plant at Machrihanish, Campbeltown, which is currently trading in administration, looks to have been secured.

A joint venture between Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and Marsh Wind Technology has submitted a bid to complete the acquisition of the plant. The joint venture - named Wind Towers - has been granted “preferred bidder status” and a due diligence process will now be carried out prior to finalising all of the arrangements. Wind Towers said that should the bid be accepted, further details would be provided on completion. 

In addition to producing wind turbine towers for onshore wind farms, the construction of new facilities to allow the production of turbine towers for offshore wind farms at the site is almost complete, enabling it to participate in the next phase of offshore wind developments. 

Ian Marchant, chief executive of SSE, said the development of a sustainable supply chain was a key priority for the renewable energy sector. “With the right business plan and management, the Machrihanish plant should be a sustainable business in every sense. As the market for offshore wind turbines develops from 2013 onwards it should be possible to expand the operation to fully utilise the excellent facilities which are now available at the site.”

However, SSE would not confirm how many of the 120 workers at the plant would retain their jobs. Marchant said: “While some restructuring may be necessary at the plant to position it for growth we would envisage the substantial majority of the workforce being retained, while the JV partners would also be looking at potential redeployment opportunities.”

First Minister Alex Salmond, at a visit to the plant, said: “I’m pleased to hear about Wind Towers’ proposals to secure the future of the plant and extend its business to servicing the growing offshore wind market.

“The creation of the joint venture and securing of preferred bidder status are very welcome developments for Campbeltown and underline the industry’s confidence in the skills of the workforce and the important role this plant can play within the renewables industry supply chain.”

Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll and Bute, Alan Reid, said he was encouraged by the news, but was concerned by SSE’s statement saying it “envisaged the substantial majority of the workforce being retained”.