SNP Group expresses anger over failure of Arnish yard to secure wind farm contract

Councillor Gordon Murray is angry the Arnish yard has been overlooked for the SSE contract.

The SNP Group expressed its anger after SSE gave the contracts to manufacturers in China and the United Arab Emirates.

Action for Arnish campaign receives Comhairle support and political backing

Group leader Cllr Gordon Murray stated: “This is a bitter blow for our workforce at Arnish and consequently the islands. The unfortunate situation is that the Scottish Government does not have the legal authority to insist on local benefit clauses in the award of contracts. This is in the gift of the Westminster government and its hugely disappointing that they have not exercised this power to enable Uk fabrication yards to compete.”

He continued: “This is also the result of the privatisation of energy and companies such as SSE exist to maximize profits no matter what the cost to communities such as ours. Energy should be under public control and this latest episode strengthens that case.”

Cllr Murray added that the group fully supported the ‘Action for Arnish’ campaign.

“We support the campaign and its aims, and hope that it will also add strength to our campaign for the public ownership of energy, whether it be national or local.”