Almost 500 UK offshore wind jobs to be supported through Seaway7 agreement for SSE’s Berwick Bank B project

• Seaway7’s planned work on SSE’s 1.4GW Berwick Bank B project expected to support 465 UK offshore wind jobs, including 400 in Scotland  

• UK Government Energy Minister and Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy welcome boost for skilled Scottish and UK jobs and industrial renewal through clean energy investment 

• Preferred supplier agreement brings total jobs supported through SSE’s Berwick Bank B commitments to around 500 in Scotland and 600 across the UK so far 

Almost 500 skilled offshore wind jobs will be supported across north-east Scotland and the wider UK after SSE appointed Aberdeen-based Seaway7, part of the Subsea7 group, as preferred supplier to deliver key infrastructure for its 1.4GW Berwick Bank B offshore wind project. 

A total of 465 UK roles will be delivered through SSE’s Preferred Supplier Agreement with Seaway7 for the project’s Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) scope. Of these jobs, 400 will be in Scotland.  

The announcement brings the total number of Berwick Bank jobs created or supported across the UK to around 600 so far, with more than 500 of these jobs in Scotland.  

UK Government Energy Minister Michael Shanks and Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy Stephen Flynn have welcomed the news as evidence of how offshore wind investment can support skilled jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains and drive industrial renewal while delivering lasting economic benefits. 

Subject to a final contract award, Seaway7 will design, supply and install offshore wind turbine foundations and subsea inter-array cables for Berwick Bank B, which is targeting construction in the outer Firth of Forth, around 38km off the Scottish Borders coastline.  

Of the jobs announced today, an estimated 160 direct roles will be with Seaway7, led from its Aberdeen base, with another 105 indirect roles in the UK domestic supply chain.  

A further 200 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be supported through turbine foundation marshalling roles at a Scottish port, which SSE and Seaway7 will announce in due course.  

UK Government Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:  

“This is what reindustrialising Scotland looks like: good jobs, built on the skills of Scottish workers, delivering the power our country needs. 

“This contract will support hundreds of jobs and strengthen Scotland’s role in the energy supply chain. It means more opportunity for Scottish workers and more homegrown power to protect families from the volatility of global fossil fuel markets.” 

The total number of Scottish jobs created or supported by SSE so far through its Berwick Bank B commitments is now more than 500. This includes the 400 supported roles announced today through Seaway7 as well as 100 new long-term jobs and around 30 construction roles previously announced through SSE’s plans to establish Berwick Bank’s operations and maintenance base at Montrose Port. 

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism & Transport Stephen Flynn said: 

“Scotland is at the forefront of the global energy transition and this announcement of 400 jobs in Scotland is another example of our strength in renewables, and the significant impact our offshore wind industry is having by creating high-quality, well-paid jobs in the North East and across the country. 

“The Scottish Government is ensuring that people right across Scotland can benefit from that growth with a commitment to invest up to £500 million in supporting critical offshore wind port infrastructure and the supply chain, helping to attract investment, create jobs and further strengthen confidence in Scotland as a destination for offshore wind development. 

“By matching Scotland’s world-class energy expertise with the opportunities offshore wind and renewables are creating, we will deliver lasting economic benefits for generations to come.” 

The appointment builds on SSE and Seaway7’s longstanding offshore wind partnership, including successful collaboration on Beatrice and Seagreen and ongoing work at Dogger Bank Wind Farm. 

Steve Wilson, Director of Offshore Wind, SSE Renewables, said: 

“Today’s announcement builds on our successful collaboration with Seaway7 through previous Scottish offshore projects and means Berwick Bank B is now expected to create or support more than 500 jobs in Scotland and around 600 across the UK through the commitments we’ve made so far. That demonstrates the real value of continued investment in offshore wind for skilled UK and Scottish jobs, businesses and communities. Maintaining a strong pipeline of projects such as Berwick Bank gives the domestic supply chain confidence to invest in people, skills and capability, while delivering the secure, affordable and homegrown energy needed all across the UK.” 

Lloyd Duthie, CEO of Seaway7, said:   

"We are proud to have been selected by SSE Renewables as the preferred supplier for Berwick Bank B and to continue a relationship that has successfully delivered major offshore wind projects including Beatrice, Seagreen and Dogger Bank. This agreement reflects the benefits of our early engagement, strong collaboration between our organisations and the expertise of our teams in delivering the optimum solution for this complex offshore wind development.” 

The Seaway7 appointment remains subject to a final contract award and a final investment decision on Berwick Bank B by SSE, expected late next year. 

Contractual information and scope of work

SSE’s appointment of Seaway7 for Berwick Bank’s Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) scope represents what would be the third EPCI contract between the two companies, subject to final contract. SSE and Seaway7 have previously collaborated successfully through the delivery of the Beatrice and Seagreen offshore wind farms, both of which were delivered under EPCI contracts in deep Scottish waters. The experience gained through those projects, combined with Seaway7's current turbine installation work at Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the North Sea, demonstrates a longstanding partnership with SSE and a proven capability in delivering complex offshore wind projects in challenging offshore environments.

 The scope of works will see Seaway7 oversee the design, supply and installation of around 90 fixed-bottom turbine foundations in water depths averaging 52 metres across the site. With water depths reaching up to 59.7 metres, Berwick Bank B would become the world’s deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind farm on completion. The installation campaign would utilise Seaway7’s installation vessels, the Seaway Alfa Lift, Seaway Strashnov and Seaway Phoenix.