BiFab collapse will worry anyone dedicated to a Just Transition for energy industry workers

BiFab, the renewable energy engineering firm based in Fife and Lewis, has gone into administration after failing to secure enough contracts to keep going.

The firm which fabricates steel parts was in the running to win a huge contract to supply parts for offshore windfarms but the Scottish and UK governments refused to provide funding guarantees and so the deal collapsed.

As a member of the Just Transition Commission, Prospect National Secretary in Scotland Richard Hardy was pivotal in raising the plight of the yards through the Commission, and demanding action by the Scottish Government. This action was sadly not forthcoming.

Richard Hardy said:

“It’s very disappointed to hear the news about BiFab.  As a union Prospect has supported its colleagues at GMB and Unite who have fought to save these yards and their much needed jobs.

“It’s difficult to see how workers can buy into a Just Transition when the green energy revolution does not deliver good quality manufacturing jobs in the supply chain, and much needed skills are discarded. This marks a huge failure by the Scottish and UK Governments, and a massive missed opportunity”