Dundee confirmed as key location for offshore wind manufacturing
New partnership seals vibrant renewables future for Port of Dundee
Energy giant SSE, Port of Dundee owner Forth Ports, enterprise agency Scottish Enterprise and local authority Dundee City Council have joined forces under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to secure Dundee’s position as a vibrant hub for Scotland’s rapidly-developing offshore renewables sector.
Representatives of the four organisations discussed their plans with First Minister Alex Salmond today, 15 December 2011, at St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, where they signed the MoU.
SSE is one of the UK’s leading developers of offshore renewable energy, with major offshore wind projects situated off the east coast. SSE has therefore identified Dundee as a key strategic location for the development of its offshore wind supply chain. The company has taken a proactive approach to developing its offshore wind supply chain, forming strategic alliances and investing directly in companies of strategic importance.
Recognised as a key asset in Scotland’s National Renewable Infrastructure Plan, the Port of Dundee and the wider City of Dundee have a fundamental role to play in the future development of a comprehensive supply chain to support Scotland’s emerging offshore wind industry. Initial work, which will be funded by the National Renewable Infrastructure Fund, will capitalise on the Port’s strategic location and competitive advantage by maximising the use of existing space and providing a solid foundation for future investment and expansion.
Scottish Enterprise estimates that as the offshore wind sector develops in the coming years, the Port of Dundee has the potential to support in the region of 700 jobs in offshore wind manufacturing, with further major opportunities for off-port supply chain development in the Dundee area.
First Minister Alex Salmond said: “Scotland’s unrivalled offshore wind resource can help power our own economy and provide clean energy beyond our shores. But we also have a fantastic opportunity to become an industrial base for the wider European offshore renewables industry. Our low carbon energy industry is already bringing together a range of enterprises – from major Scottish-based utilities such as SSE, home-grown clean-tech developers and traditional offshore companies expanding their renewables business, to global engineering giants and other European power providers investing in clean energy in Scottish waters.
“I’m determined that communities across Scotland will contribute to and benefit from the renewables revolution that’s sweeping Europe and beyond. As one of our great port cities, Dundee is ideally-placed to become a key hub for the rapidly growing multi-billion pound offshore renewables industry, particularly and initially in offshore wind. The partners have all recognised and seized the opportunity by agreeing this MoU today. The work that follows the signing of the MoU will not only ensure that the port is used most effectively, but will ensure that the public and private sector work together to re-energise the city more widely, through associated infrastructural improvements and economic benefits.”
Sandy Biggar, Director of Procurement for SSE: “Today’s announcement of our development intentions shows the strength of our commitment to Dundee and we look forward to working with the local authority, enterprise agencies and the people of Dundee to attract world class offshore wind suppliers to the city.”
Lena Wilson, Chief Executive at Scottish Enterprise said: “The Port of Dundee and the wider city region have a crucial role to play in the future of Scotland’s renewables sector. We have a short window of opportunity to put in place the critical infrastructure for a prosperous developing industry and this partnership will bring the public and private sector together with one goal in mind – to create the ideal breeding ground for Scotland’s renewable supply chain to generate maximum economic and environmental benefit.”
Charles Hammond, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, SSE and Dundee City Council on this significant project for the Port of Dundee. Our ports in Scotland play a key role in supporting Scotland’s economy and this agreement gives great confidence that our Port in Dundee will maximise its competitive advantage as a key location for SSE’s supply chain and a renewables hub for the offshore wind industry."
Ken Guild, Chair of Dundee renewables and Leader of the Administration at Dundee City Council, said: “We have been pursuing Dundee's case at the highest levels with our partners and this Memorandum of Understanding represents a renewed opportunity to maximise the city's potential in the renewables industry. I welcome SSE's choice of the Port of Dundee as a prime location for the delivery of its ambitious offshore wind projects. The city council will do everything it can to support efforts by Forth Ports and SSE to build a successful commercial development.”
The new partnership signals a collaborative approach to securing a competitive solution for the delivery of sustainable manufacturing jobs and a flourishing supply chain for Dundee. Scottish Enterprise will now undertake a planning exercise on behalf of the partners which will maximise available space at the port and inform future priorities.
Media Contacts:
Scottish Enterprise: Aileen Hotchkiss, Tel: 0141 228 2848 / 07795 121565
Forth Ports Ltd: Debbie Johnson, Spreng & Co, Tel: 0141 229 0482 / 07532 183811
SSE: Tel: 0845 0760 530
Dundee City Council: Les Roy,Tel: 01382 434501 / 07985817954
Scottish Government: Russell Fallis, Tel: 0131 244 305 / 07920 595435
Notes to Editors:
Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's main economic development agency and aims to deliver a significant, lasting effect on the Scottish economy. Our role is to help identify and exploit the best opportunities for economic growth. We support ambitious Scottish companies to compete within the global marketplace and help build Scotland’s globally competitive sectors. We also work with a range of partners in the public and private sectors to attract new investment to Scotland and to help create a world-class business environment.
The Port of Dundee was identified in the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan as a key asset for Scotland’s growing renewables sector. Dundee is strategically placed as a base for the North Sea Oil and Gas industry together with the new emerging alternative energy markets. Dundee is a major agricultural hub for the east coast of Scotland and specialises in the efficient handling of bulk materials including mineral salts, animal feeds and fertilizers. The Port can accommodate the largest north-sea jack-up rigs and support vessels for construction, maintenance and servicing. The port also accommodates large crude oil and general tanker vessels to support the on-port refinery.
Forth Ports Limited owns and operates eight commercial ports in the UK – Tilbury on the Thames, Dundee on the Firth of Tay and six on the Firth of Forth – Leith, Grangemouth, Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland and Kirkcaldy. It also has a business, Nordic, which operates out of Chatham in Kent and Tilbury, which is engaged in port activities and recycling. Within and around the Firths of Forth and Tay, Forth Ports manages and operates an area of 280 square miles of navigable waters, including two specialised marine terminals for oil and gas export and provides other marine services, such as towage and conservancy. The Group also has significant property interests as well as renewable energy projects where the Group is looking to gain planning approval for onshore wind installations and biomass facilities in its ports in Scotland.
SSE is the UK’s largest non-nuclear electricity generator with over 11,000 megawatts of capacity from the most diverse portfolio of power stations. It is also the leading generator of electricity from renewable resources with a total generation capacity of nearly 2,500 MW. Through its renewable development division, SSE Renewables, it is involved in the development of new renewable energy projects covering wind, wave, tide, and hydro electricity. Its core purpose is to provide the energy people need in a reliable and sustainable way. It supplies energy to 10 million customers throughout the country, is independently-recognised as the best energy supplier for customer service
Dundee Renewables information at www.dundeerenewables.com