Wind power firm gets £2.6m boost

The cash will help see an old oil yard reopen

A manufacturing project which could bring 65 jobs to a Hebridean island has been given a £2.6m boost.

The cash will be used to help set up a wind turbine tower and offshore pile manufacturing and assembly operation by Cambrian Engineering.

Arnish oil fabrication yard in Stornoway, which went into receivership three years ago, will be reopened as a result of the announcement by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network.

Scottish Executive Enterprise Minister Iain Gray said the news was a "tremendous boost" for the Isle of Lewis.

Iain Gray welcomed the jobs boost

He said: "The type of industry that Cambrian are looking to supply - the manufacture of wind turbines and generators - has the potential to be a real growth area in Scotland.

"The executive is well aware of the difficulties that the manufacturing sector has faced in recent times and it is therefore particularly pleasing to welcome these new jobs to Lewis.

"It is also particularly pleasing to see the re-opening of the Arnish yard in Stornoway as a significant manufacturing facility."

The announcement was being made during the Highlands and Islands Convention in Oban.

The executive is consulting on its target of having renewable energy sources make a 40% contribution to overall energy production.

Sandy Cumming, chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: "The Western Isles is one of HIE's highest priority areas, and our recent multi-million commitment to the Arnish upgrade is further proof of that.

"Cambrian Engineering is a well established company serving a growth industry and I am pleased that we have managed to attract tenants of this calibre to Arnish."