Iberdrola offshore energy scheme to provide renewables jobs boost

HUNDREDS more jobs in Scotland's renewable energy industry are expected to be announced next month when Alex Salmond travels to the headquarters of ScottishPower owner Iberdrola in Bilbao.

Scotland on Sunday has learned that the First Minister is in discussions with Iberdrola chairman and chief executive Ignacio Galan about an offshore energy initiative which is expected to result in several hundred jobs in tidal and offshore wind generation. Galan met Salmond in Edinburgh on Friday to fine-tune the announcement.

The Spanish energy major recently announced it was setting up its global headquarters for offshore wind power in Glasgow.

Last week Salmond travelled to Oslo for the launch of the first of several lucrative contracts which will see tidal power machines manufactured in Scotland.

The state-of-the-art devices are owned by Norwegian firm Hammerfest Strom in which ScottishPower Renewables owns a 17 per cent stake.

ScottishPower intends to install the first 70ft machine at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.EMEC will today announce that it has increased its capacity by a third following strong demand from international energy firms. As a result of a 5 million investment, more prototypes can be installed in at the centre this year.

EMEC managing director Neil Kermode said: "These moves ensure that Scotland's Highlands and Islands stay right in the global forefront of marine energy as it accelerates.

"Our full-scale sites were almost full to capacity but, having created new space for other devices, we now still have room for new wave and tidal developers."