Jobs Boost for Renfrew

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 24, 2011 -- Plans by two Renfrew based companies will see hundreds of new jobs coming to Renfrew and massive investment in renewable energy.Alex Salmond MSP with Derek Mackay

Doosan Power Systems, the energy engineering giant, plans to locate its renewables Research and Development base at the Westway Centre in Renfrew - initially creating up to 200 jobs. This could also be followed by further investment of up to £170million if they decide to base their offshore wind turbine manufacturing base at the same location - with potentially another 1,700 jobs.

Supported by Scottish Enterprise, Doosan have agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Under this MoU, the company intends to locate its R&D Centre of Excellence for Renewables at its current site at Westway in Renfrew, supported by Scottish Enterprise, creating up to 200 jobs. Subject to further discussions under the MoU a second phase would see the establishment of assembly and manufacturing facilities in Scotland - now the company's favoured location for wind turbine prototype-build and manufacturing.

Doosan expects its offshore wind plans in Scotland to create up to 1,700 new jobs - of which the company would directly recruit approximately 700, with a further 1,000 employed in the supply chain.

Also neighbouring firm Steel Engineering, will create a least 120 new jobs, supported by £1.8 million Regional Selective Assistance through Scottish Enterprise - to double its full-time workforce and expand its business servicing a range of clean energy sectors, including offshore wind, wave and tidal power.

First Minister Alex Salmond also announced that Skills Development Scotland is in discussions with the Steel Engineering about a planned training school which will be named The Renewable Energy Steel Trades Academy. In partnership with Anniesland College, the company plans to provide intensive and exclusive training tailored to the latest fabrication techniques, and welding procedures required by the renewables industry.

Visiting the two facilities with Renfrewshire Council leader, Cllr Derek Mackay, the First Minister said:

"Doosan Power Systems is one of the world's leading energy technology and engineering companies and I'm delighted they have decided to locate their R&D centre in Renfrew, Scotland, to develop the next generation of offshore wind turbines. I'm also excited by the prospect of Doosan establishing a manufacturing facility in Scotland - today's announcement by the company is an important step towards that and towards many hundreds more jobs that will be created beyond the 200 posts announced today.

"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.

"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. Due to the Company's continued success, including its commitment to supporting training and apprentices, they are now ready to increase their workforce by at least 120 and expand into new premises here at Westway. I'm very pleased that we have been able to support this new investment through Regional Selective Assistance.

Cllr Derek Mackay added:

"The news of substantial investment for Renfrew and Renfrewshire is brilliant. The new jobs will be a boost for the local economy and further enhance the technology base at Westway Industrial Park. I'm delighted that the First Minister was part of this, further evidence of the strong record of job and technology progress under the SNP Government.