Wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa plans to invest in the UK offshore wind industry by building a major manufacturing facility in Leith, Scotland, capable of producing the giant wind turbines that are set to be built around the British coast.
The project could be worth up to €150m of investment (around £125m) and is expected to support over 800 direct jobs. It is expected that the new factory will make turbine blades and generator units.
Along with their Research and Development centre in Glasgow and their offshore wind HQ in London, this announcement shows Gamesa’s commitment to establishing the UK as the main focus of their worldwide offshore wind business. Welcoming Gamesa’s announcement, prime minister David Cameron said: “Scotland benefits from UK wide initiatives to promote renewables and access to the entire UK consumer market. That coupled with the economic security that comes from being part of one of the world’s most successful unions makes Scotland an obvious place for companies like Gamesa to invest in.”
Energy secretary Ed Davey added: “The government has been working with the company on this project for some time so it is great to see real progress being made. “This was … a closely run race between two excellent locations – a powerful message to the offshore wind industry that the UK is the place to be.”