Renewables groups have welcomed the new investment in a turbine tower factory in Scotland, which brings the yearly total invested in the UK offshore wind sector to over £1bn.
RenewableUK deputy chief executive Melanie Onn (pictured) said: “This massive investment by Global Energy Group and its partners in a major new factory in Scotland is a great example of the economic and industrial opportunities which offshore wind is creating across the UK.
“Today’s announcement comes at the end of a record year which has seen a total of over £1bn invested in new British factories which will manufacture the massive pieces of kit the offshore wind industry needs to ramp up our capacity fourfold by 2030.
“The UK’s offshore wind supply chain extends to every part of the country, and businesses like Global Energy Group are helping to regenerate coastal communities in ports like Nigg.”
She said that building major new facilities like this is proof that the UK is securing industrial benefits at scale from offshore wind.
Onn added: “Industry and government are working closely together to accelerate the growth of the sector, creating tens of thousands of highly-skilled jobs and unlocking billions in private investment over the course of this decade, putting offshore wind at the centre of our modern energy system.”
Scottish Renewables energy transition and supply chain manager Emma Harrick said: “Today’s significant announcement from Global Energy Group is a welcome development which highlights the eagerness of our suppliers in establishing a world leading net-zero supply chain.
“With the ambition to increase our offshore wind capacity to 11GW by 2030, project deployment for this critical Scottish industry is set to rapidly increase.
“There is a wealth of opportunity from these projects on the horizon for the supply chain and Scotland’s ports will be key to realising our aspirations.”