28/07/2010

New Jobs Potential In Renewables

More than 5,000 green jobs could be created through the development of three regional offshore energy manufacturing sites built around key port locations, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.

Speaking at a Scottish Government public discussion event in Dornoch, the First Minister welcomed Stage 2 of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP), which was published today by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

The plan outlines the investment required to deliver Scotland's ambition to become a premier location for the manufacturing and deployment of wind turbine and marine energy devices.

The report states that a total private and public investment of £223 million would assist the creation of 11 offshore wind manufacturing sites in three regional clusters. Taken together these sites could support the creation of up to 5,180 jobs and an annual economic impact of up to £294.5 million each year. It also underlines the case for the £185 million Fossil Fuel Levy to be released by the Treasury to accelerate the promotion and development of renewable energy in Scotland.

The sites identified in Stage 1 of the N-RIP, published in February, are: Leith, Dundee, Nigg, Energy Park at Methil, Hunterston, Aberdeen, Arnish, Campbeltown/Machrihanish, Ardersier, Kishorn and Peterhead. This latest report recommends that the sites are developed into three regional manufacturing clusters that would support the fabrication of offshore wind components and tap into the wealth of subsea expertise that already exists in Scotland.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Scotland has the natural resources, expertise and ambition to become a global powerhouse for clean, green energy. The National Renewables Infrastructure Plan outlines the steps required to realise our ambition and to establish Scotland as a premier destination for the manufacture and installation of offshore renewable energy devices.

"This plan focuses on the sites that could provide investors with the high-quality infrastructure required for success in the rapidly growing green energy industry.

"The report states that a total investment of up to £223 million is required to realise the potential of these sites, which could create more than 5,000 manufacturing jobs and generate around £300 million each year for Scotland's economy."

Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise added: "Scotland can be home to offshore renewable manufacturing in the same way as we are becoming home to the engineering design of offshore wind and wave tidal facilities. Taken together, these opportunities will help to secure Scotland's place as Europe's powerhouse of renewable energy production.

"This latest phase of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan has been developed collaboratively with industry and will help inform investment priorities for the future. Our priority now is to work with individual site owners and our public sector partners to identify how we collectively attract the investment that will help them develop the infrastructure and meet future market demands."

(GK)

Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 June 2009
Potential For 'Green' Jobs, Says De Brun
The green economy should be at the heart of government programmes, according to Sinn Féin's Bairbre de Brún, who said energy efficiency schemes could create much-needed jobs for the ailing construction sector. The newly re-elected MEP appeared before the Climate Change Inquiry held by the Assembly Environment Committee last week.
22 February 2016
AMP Control UK To Close
Unite Scotland has confirmed the closure of Irvine-based mining and petro-chemical equipment manufacturer AMP Control UK, resulting in the loss of 60 jobs, is another hammer blow to the Ayrshire economy and Scottish manufacturing.
25 November 2016
New Contract Secures 200 Harland & Wolff Jobs
Harland and Wolff (H&F) have announced a new multi-million pound contract will secure up to 200 jobs at the Belfast-based manufacturer. H&F have been contracted by ScottishPower Renewables to produce steel foundation jackets for major new offshore windfarm scheme, East Anglia ONE.
15 June 2010
Historic Scotland Stonemasons Train Young People In Harlem
Historic Scotland stonemasons travelled to the United States recently to help train young people in Harlem, New York. Kenny McCaffrey from Cupar and Malcolm Hutcheon from Insch worked with young people learning masonry and preservation skills through the Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC).
15 June 2012
Minister Welcome's Agreement Of New EU Directive
The Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte, welcomed today's agreement of a new EU Directive designed to boost energy efficiency throughout Europe. Today's agreement will lead to greater investment by both public and private sectors so as to make both homes and public buildings warmer and more efficient.