Gamesa to invest £125m in UK wind turbine manufacturing plant
23 March 2012
Gamesa has announced plans to build two plants in the Port of Leith, Scotland, worth around £125m. Depending on market developments, this new UK manufacturing base (turbines and nacelles) could eventually create about 800 new jobs. The development is part of Gamesa's long term commitment to establishing the UK as the centre of its global offshore wind operations. It already has an R&D centre in Glasgow and offshore wind HQ in London.
Gamesa chairman and CEO, Jorge Calvet
Gamesa chairman and CEO, Jorge Calvet (pictured) said: "I am delighted that Gamesa will pursue memorandum of understanding (MoU) discussions with the Port of Leith aimed at manufacturing its technologically advanced wind turbines for the offshore sector there. If market conditions are favourable this would mean many high quality jobs for the area. I have only praise for the support we have received throughout this process from Government Ministers and agencies across the UK.
"We hope to play a central role in strengthening the UK's offshore wind energy sector and improving security of energy supply in the future. In achieving this we would also minimise any environmental impact whilst continuing to invest in and build relationships with the local communities with which we shall be working. Selection of Leith, as our preferred partner for the MoU aimed at establishing a UK manufacturing base is only a first stage, but an important one."
Welcoming Gamesa’s announcement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is fantastic news for Scotland and shows that the UK remains an attractive place for foreign investment. Scotland benefits from UK wide initiatives to promote renewables and access to the entire UK consumer market."