High voltage direct current cable (HVDC) manufacturing company XLCC has been awarded a £9m grant by Scottish Enterprise to continue the development of its £1.4bn Hunterston manufacturing facility.
The grant follows planning approval of the proposed site, the first such facility in the UK, from North Ayrshire Council in May. When fully operational, the plant will employ up to 900 high-skilled permanent workers.
“We welcome the decision by Scottish Enterprise to award XLCC this £9m grant,” said XLCC chief executive Ian Douglas.
“As we continue to work towards building a greener future for Scotland and the wider UK, investing in and mobilising the power of local communities is vital and this grant helps us set our Hunterston project on the best footing.
“Green energy is the future, and we want to empower Scotland to be part of the transition.”
Scottish Enterprise chief executive Adrian Gillespie said: “XLCC’s plans for Hunterston have the potential to be transformational for the regional economy and an extremely important addition to Scotland’s offshore renewables capability.
“Together with our Team Scotland partners, we’re working closely with the company as it seeks to address the enormous and growing demand for HVDC cables both in Scotland and internationally.”
Scottish government Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray added: “This milestone £1.4bn project is a welcome vote of confidence in Scotland’s renewable energy revolution. That is why Scottish Enterprise is supporting with £9m to attract wider private sector investment.
“We are working with industry to deliver a net zero economy in which no one – not least our energy workforces and the communities they support – can be left behind.
“There are expected to be more jobs in energy production by 2050 than there are now so I hope this investment spurs on further progress.
“Our offshore renewables capabilities are accelerating more widely over the next five years, with up to £50 m additional Scottish government investment and work progressing on our Green Industrial Strategy.
“This will help create thousands of sustainable jobs and can secure a just transition for our energy sector and a fairer, greener Scotland for everyone.”
Leader of North Ayrshire Council Marie Burns said: “This is one of the largest-ever investments in Scotland and the significance of this development cannot be overstated. It is incredibly exciting for the North Coast, North Ayrshire and beyond.
“Not only is the development likely to create 900 full-time jobs and a range of training and apprenticeship opportunities but it will also secure offshore renewable energy supplies for the entire country.
“As a Community Wealth Building Council, we are determined to grow our economy for the benefit of local communities and bring investment into the area and are delighted that XLCC has committed to growing their operation here, in Hunterston underlining our belief that Hunterston’s unique location and connectivity is of national economic importance.”