New era on horizon as flagship Fife Energy Park takes shape
The first phase of work to redevelop what was once one of Scotland’s largest rig fabrication sites has been completed.
More than £4 million has been invested to date to transform the 133 acre former Kvaerner Rig Yard in Methil into a world-leading hub of manufacturing activity for the renewable energy sector.
Spearheaded by Scottish Enterprise Fife and Fife Council, the project to regenerate the site is being delivered by a mix of local and national contracting organisations including Cheetham Hill Construction, Mackenzie Construction, Dalrymple, Realm Construction and JKF Group.
Since acquisition of the site in 2005 the existing 30 year old structures have been subdivided and upgraded, coastal defences, boundary fencing and infrastructure services have been installed and plots ranging from two to 50 acres in size have been allocated to accommodate businesses operating in Scotland’s flourishing renewable energy sector.
Intended to help place Fife and Scotland at the leading edge of the renewable energy sector initial stages of the ambitious project have seen investment and work focused on bringing existing facilities back into use and putting in place vital new infrastructure.
Willie Johnston, director at Scottish Enterprise Fife, commented: “Work on site at the Energy Park is gathering pace and it is extremely gratifying to see the various stages of the development come to fruition. It is now critical that we keep momentum going to ensure that the project delivers all the economic benefits we anticipate in terms of jobs for the Levenmouth area and vital accommodation for the growing renewable energy sector.
Interest in the site has been significant, with over 60 enquiries received by the Invest in Fife team, some of which, from Europe’s leading companies in the onshore and offshore wind industry, demonstrating the park’s appeal and potential.
Councillor Tony Martin, Chair of the Economic and Transportation committee added: “It’s great to see everything coming together at the Energy Park. It won’t be long until we can see the positive, on the ground, benefits that this project will bring to the area and the significant impact to Fife’s economy as a whole through investment and the creation of new jobs.”
The overall project is expected to have a cumulative contribution of up to £172 million to Scotland’s economy by 2015 and create several hundred jobs in the area.
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