Mitsubishi to invest £100m in green energy centre

First Minister Alex Salmond today welcomed plans by Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe Ltd (MPSE) to invest up to £100 million in an engineering facility to carry our research and development into offshore wind turbine technology.

MPSE will create a Centre for Advanced Technology in Edinburgh to pioneer ‘game changing’ green energy technologies towards mass production and will also acquire Edinburgh firm Artemis intelligent Power (AIP). The acquisition of AIP will safeguard 25 jobs and create 30 high-value engineering posts at the Scottish technology firm.

Over the next five years, MPSE expects to create up to 200 jobs at the new Centre and at AIP. If the technology is successful, this could lead to the creation of a major offshore wind turbine manufacturing site in Scotland.  

Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise have been working with MHI and AIP over a number of years to secure this announcement.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: “Scotland is a leader in the development of clean green energy and boasts a world-class research and development base that is pioneering technologies that will have a global impact on combating climate change. Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe’s announcement of £100 million investment capitalises on Scotland’s strengths in innovation and offshore energy generation.

“I am delighted that Mitsubishi is establishing a presence in Scotland through the creation of a Centre for Advanced Technology and the acquisition of Artemis Intelligent Power. Mitsubishi’s decision to invest in Scotland demonstrates how Scotland’s renewable revolution is gathering pace and that we have the quality infrastructure and skilled workforce to deliver success in this rapidly-growing industry.

“The decision will create 30 high quality jobs, safeguard 25 jobs and is likely to create 200 jobs by 2015. And as well as delivering new jobs and investment, over the long-term this  announcement could result of the creation of a major offshore wind turbine manufacturing site in Scotland.  Mitsubishi has strong historical links with Scotland, with its origins in the Nagasaki Shipping company set up with the support of Thomas Blake Glover, the Aberdeenshire pioneer of Japanese commerce.

“The Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise are doing all we can to secure substantial inward investment and to capitalise on our strengths and skills. I wish Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe every success on their ambitious plans as we work together and towards a low carbon future.”

MPSE Chief Executive Officer Akio Fukui said: “The successful development of this technology will make Britain/Scotland a key player in the offshore wind supply chain, potentially leading to the development of manufacturing capacity delivering to the Scottish, UK and European markets. This exciting project squares the circle of Scottish-Japanese industrial history dating back to when Thomas Glover assisted in the creation of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in the 1800’s. The first Japanese naval vessel was built in Aberdeen in the late 1800’s in Scotland, and now the first game changing offshore wind turbine will be built here too.

“This builds on our existing partnership with SSE on low carbon energy developments, including offshore wind, and we are very pleased to be working with the UK and Scottish Governments to turn this vision into a heavy engineering reality.”

MHI Vice President Mr Atsushi Maekawa said: “Today’s announcement of our plans for R&D in the Scotland marks another significant milestone for Mitsubishi in developing market-leading low carbon energy generation products.”

Managing Director of AIP Dr Win Rampen said: “This marks a huge step forward for the development of our game-changing technology. Drawing on the breadth and depth of MHI expertise and skills, AIP look forward to accelerating our R&D work with a view to our technology being used in turbines in UK and European waters by 2015.”

Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, added: “This announcement cements Scotland's position as the preferred location for groundbreaking offshore wind turbine research and development.  With a commitment from Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe to invest up to £100 million over the next five years, and the potential to develop Scotland's supply chain in this sector, this is fantastic news for Scotland's existing offshore wind businesses to benefit from a major player locating in Scotland.”