SHI Establishes UK Offshore Wind Project Base at Fife Renewables Innovation Centre

Korean industrial giant, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), has announced that it is to base its UK offshore wind project at Fife Renewables Innovation Centre (FRIC) at Energy Park Fife, Methil.

Announcing the news, Chan Hee Son, UK Project Manager of Samsung Heavy Industries said: “Samsung is very pleased to be part of the Fife Renewables Innovation Centre at Fife Energy Park. We very much look forward to having a long and productive relationship with Fife and working closely with all the public and private sector partners to deliver a successful offshore wind demonstration project.”

Nineteen members of the Korean firm’s staff will be based at the building, taking three office suites within the Innovation Centre, which is a landmark development combining state-of-the-art business facilities with the latest in sustainable design.

The team will lead the development of SHI’s offshore wind demonstration project, which was announced by the First Minister at the beginning of 2012. The project involves the installation and testing of a 7MW offshore wind turbine at Energy Park Fife over the next five years.

Fife Council Leader, Councillor Alex Rowley commented: “It’s an excellent endorsement for Methil and Energy Park Fife that a multi-national business like Samsung Heavy Industries has shown its commitment to Levenmouth by creating its UK offshore wind headquarters in the new Fife Renewables Centre. In the longer term, we look forward to working with the company to exploit any opportunities for local businesses in the supply chain and for apprenticeships for our young people.”

He added: “We are very happy to welcome Samsung Heavy Industries to Fife Renewables Innovation Centre. We have always been confident in the Centre’s ability to attract energy sector business, given its green credentials. This is an exciting time for Fife Renewables Innovation Centre and we are confident that it will continue to play a prominent role in supporting Fife and Scotland’s East Coast energy industry.”

Work started on the first phase of the demonstrator project at the end of November 2012 as work started on the onshore metrological mast in Energy Park Fife. Subject to Scottish Government approval, construction of the 196 metre offshore demonstration turbine will begin in Spring 2013. Although a major change in the Fife skyline for the five year period of the consent, it is hoped that this will lead to manufacturing jobs in Methil in the medium term.

EnergyPark Fife in Methil is a joint venture between Scottish Enterprise and Fife council. Since its completion in June 2012, FRIC has exceeded its occupancy targets by 18% with 38% of units leased against a target OF 20% by March 2013. A formal Opening Ceremony is now being planned for later in the 2013.

Alongside SHI, other FRIC tenants include Energy Project Management and Reach Engineering & Diving Services. The Green Deal Advice Centre and Hydrosphere UK Ltd have also acquired units and will be moving into FRIC in 2013.

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Press release, January 15, 2013; Image: fiferenewablesinnovationcentre