A WINDFARM developer claims its turbines could bring jobs to the area.
Vattenfall has been challenged by critics in Dalmellington to back up its
jobs claim for the contorversial South Kyle Wind Farm.
New figures obtained by the Chronicle this week, suggest there will be 150
potential jobs retained or created during the construction phase of the
project, with contracts ranging from three months to three years.
These people will be employed by Vattenfall and the principal contractors
who will be engaged in construction of the site and the erection of wind
turbines.
Once the construction process has been completed there would up to 22 jobs
retained or created over the next 25 years of operation.
The jobs will go to people from across Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
Alison Daugherty, Vattenfall’s Project Manager for South Kyle said:
“Vattenfall’s experience in building eight wind farms in the UK tells us
that early and serious engagement with regional supply chains can deliver
significant economic dividends in the area.
“Our analysis shows there is potential for up to 150 jobs to be created or
safeguarded in South West Scotland by way of the £200 million plus
investment in South Kyle Wind Farm. Further, our early engagement with the
region’s supply chain has led to 121 businesses registering their interest
in the project – this is good progress in our 600 campaign.
“However, these businesses require confidence that a pipeline of work will
exist in order to enable them to invest in training and plant and machinery
so that they are then able to pursue opportunities. Vattenfall’s South Kyle
Wind Farm, if approved and built, will inject confidence into local
business – we want to maintain that confidence in the scheme but that is
more challenging now.”
Angry locals from Dalmellington have long been campaigning to stop the wind
farm developers moving in. They note the stressing of word ‘retained’ in
the company’s statements.
Sharon Smith, of the village’s Community Council, said: “It doesn’t bring
any benefit and it won’t bring extra employment to the area.”
In a letter to the Chronicle this week, Craigengillan Estate owner Mark
Gibson says the promise of jobs is “empty” and insists the development will
create very few long-term job opportunities.
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