City businesses pledge to create new renewable energy capital

The drive to transform the city into Scotland's renewable energy hub took a major step forward yesterday as representatives of the public, private and academic sectors in Dundee gathered at a summit meeting to discover what role they can play in making the ambitious vision a reality.

Forty years ago Dundee lost out in the battle with Aberdeen for the glittering prize to be chosen as the main base for Britain's fledgling oil and gas industry.

But councillor Ken Guild, the leader of the city council, told the conference, organised by the Dundee Partnership, that the city was in a prime position to secure a key role in the development of Scotland's wind, wave and tidal power industry.

Speaking after the conference, Mr Guild, who is also chairman of the Dundee Partnership Forum, said: "Make no mistake, this is a chance for us to transform the city's economy and secure the kinds of jobs and industries that we have craved for decades. Dundee is perfectly placed to take advantage of this."

But he stressed: "We can only achieve this by working together: the private and public sectors, businesses and communities, colleges and universities and local authorities across the region."