Work is continuing on the multi million pound redevelopment of the Arnish yard with the awarding of further contracts associated with the refurbishment of the main fabrication workshop on the site.

Following an advertisement for expressions of interest in the Official Journal of the European Community and a competitive tendering process, Renfrew-based firm Balfour Kirkpatrick has secured the £1.7 million mechanical and electrical engineering contract.  Meanwhile RB Farquhar has been awarded a £145,000 contract to supply modular accommodation which will provide high quality office and welfare facilities for staff.

The mechanical and electrical works are expected to take 12 weeks to complete and will involve renewing the mechanical and electrical plant and services throughout the building including distribution of power, air, oxygen and gases.  Also, the installation of heating, lighting, ventilation and extraction to meet the requirements of tenants, Cambrian Engineering.

The multi million pound upgrade of the former oil fabrication yard is being funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) with £1.7million worth of support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).  Arnish has been idle since the closure of Lewis Offshore in 1999 but an investment of £12 million will provide the Western Isles economy with a much needed boost.

Cambrian Engineering - manufacturers of wind turbine towers and foundations for the offshore renewable sector - is set to move into the revamped workshop in July 2003.  The Welsh firm has already secured financial assistance worth £2.6 million from WIE towards the establishment of the business in the Western Isles, which likely to create around 65 jobs.

Chief executive of WIE, Donnie Macaulay said: "Following last week's 'Creating Sustainable Futures - A Renewable Energy Event', all eyes are now on the Western Isles because of its suitability as a future centre of renewable energy.

"We see the redevelopment of the Arnish yard as playing a crucial role in the development of renewables in the Western Isles and beyond, and with the imminent arrival of Cambrian Engineering we are well on the way.

"Of course, the redevelopment of Arnish isn't just about renewables, our aim is to create a multi-user industrial estate with the potential to create over 100 new jobs for the Island."

In a further development at Arnish, HIE has engaged consultants to address the upgrading and improvement of marine facilities at the yard.  However, the existing berth has been made useable in the interim thanks to the Stornoway Pier and Harbour Commission.  Working on behalf of the Commission, the Westminster Dredging Company has undertaken quay debris clearance work around the Glumaig Bay and Anchorage Berth while carrying out the dredging of Stornoway Harbour.