South Korean energy company Doosan Power Systems is to build an R&D Centre of Excellence for Renewables in Scotland and could also set up wind turbine manufacture in the country.
The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Scottish Enterprise to invest up to £170m in the renewables sector north of the border. Initially, this involves the building of the R&D centre at the company’s existing site in Renfrew, Glasgow.
Talks are continuing over the possibility of a manufacturing base – a development which could entail up to 1,700 jobs, it has been mooted.
Separately, Scottish company Steel Engineering is in talks with Skills Development Scotland over a Renewable Energy Steel Trades Academy which will provide training of the fabrication techniques and welding procedures used in the renewables industry.
Visiting Doosan, First Minister for Scotland Alex Salmond welcomed the announcements. He said: “This latest multi-million pound offshore wind investment announcement underlines Scotland’s growing reputation for excellence and innovation in clean energy design and engineering.
“It is another great stride forward for the renewables industry in Scotland – which is now the chosen destination for three energy engineering giants to design their next generation of turbines to service the global offshore wind industry.”
On Steel Engineering, he added: “Scotland also plays a key role in the energy industry supply chain and Steel Engineering are an excellent example of how Scottish companies with great experience servicing the offshore oil & gas industry have been building the renewables side of their business.”
