EEW powers up for £27 million Scottish wind turbine plant

Published on Tuesday 29 December 2009 20:42

SCOTLAND'S manufacturing and renewable energy sectors received an end-of-year boost yesterday after German steel heavyweight EEW Group revealed its intention to invest up to 30 million (£27m) in a Scottish plant.

The firm, which manufactures steel tubes for wind turbines, is yet to finalise its plans but the manufacturing facility is expected to create some 150 jobs.

A location for the plant has also not been named but sources say it is likely to be close to the Fife Energy Park – a purpose-built facility on the site of the former Kvaerner oil fabrication yard at Methil.

The EEW plant will create predominantly highly-skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs as the group seeks to capitalise on the burgeoning wind industry in Scotland. About 20 of the expected 150 jobs are likely to be in administration.

EEW said the plant could be up and running within a year and will mainly manufacture steel tubes for wind turbines suitable for use in UK inshore waters.

The group, which is headquartered in Erndtebrck in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, said it is likely to invest 20m-30m in the plant. It has been attracted to Scotland by Scottish Development International (SDI), which has offered EEW an undisclosed grant.

Niall Stuart, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said the plant will provide a welcome boost for the sector, which has been named by the Scottish Government as one of the key industries for the future. Stuart said: "This announcement shows people around the globe are alert to the huge opportunities for renewables in Scotland, in particular offshore wind.

"I hope and expect this to be the first of a number of inward investments we are likely to see as people look to capture the value of the huge investment we are likely to see in offshore wind over the next ten to 15 years."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "EEW's decision to invest in Scotland is very welcome and is further evidence that Scotland is leading the way in offshore renewables. With a quarter of Europe's offshore wind potential and our tremendous skills base, Scotland is the natural home to invest in offshore technology and manufacturing.

"Investment in renewable energy is already driving Scotland's economic recovery, with projects up and down the country supporting highly-skilled, low carbon jobs."

The announcement comes ahead of a call by First Minister Alex Salmond today for increased powers to harness Scotland's green energy potential.