Wind turbine project to bring 500 jobs to Fife
01 February 2012
A £100m wind turbine investment in Fife is expected to create more than 500 new jobs.
South Korean-based multinational Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is to bring its first European offshore wind project to the area. The move was announced at the Scottish Offshore Wind and Supply Chain Conference in Aberdeen.
Along with the decision to develop its offshore wind technology at the Energy Park in Fife, SHI has signed a multimillion pound deal with East Kilbride-based David Brown Gear Systems to supply gearbox systems for its next generation offshore wind turbine.
The news has been welcomed by First Minister Alex Salmond, who is delivering a keynote speech at the conference.
He said: "I am extremely pleased to welcome this inward investment by Samsung Heavy Industries which further reinforces Scotland's place in the development of the next generation of offshore wind turbines.
"Their choice of Scotland as their first base in Europe for renewable technology development is testament to the fact this country is fast becoming the European centre for research and development in new offshore wind technologies.
"For Methil to be chosen as the test site for Samsung Heavy Industries’ new 7MW wind turbine is another example of this country’s ability to secure investment from global multinationals.
"Scottish Enterprise, Fife Council and Scottish Development International are committed to work with Samsung Heavy Industries and David Brown to secure further investment in the form of a new wind turbine facility and associated gearbox plant at the Fife Energy Park at Methil – a significant move in that it could see much needed high-value employment in this area of Scotland."
SHI will work with Scottish Enterprise and Fife Council to develop the Fife project, which if tests and demonstrations of the technology are successful, would result in assembly and manufacturing of the turbines and blades in Scotland.
Mr Insik Roh, CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, said: "We are pleased to be participating in the development of the Energy Park at Methil at such an exciting time for the Scottish renewable energy industry.
"The testing of the new 7MW offshore wind turbine at the Fife Energy Park signifies a milestone in the development of Samsung's new wind turbine generator system. We hope to contribute to the Scottish economy through successful testing and certification of our cutting edge offshore wind turbine and ultimately through establishment of our manufacturing facility here in Methil."
Cllr Peter Grant, leader of Fife Council, added: "This is an important milestone for Fife in its ambition to become the leading green council in Scotland, and is another great success for the Invest in Fife partnership which brings together Fife Council, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International.
"This potential investment by two global leaders proves yet again that Fife is becoming one of the easiest places to do business and builds on the back of recent investments totalling almost £400 million by Amazon, Diageo, and RWE."
Source: STV News