Scottish and Southern Energy plc ( SSE ), the largest generator of
electricity from renewable sources across the UK , selected Glasgow as the
location for the new Centre of Engineering Excellence for Renewable Energy
(CEERE) in partnership with the University of Strathclyde. This will allow
SSE further develop wind and marine energy schemes.
Alex Salmond, the First Minister said the project put Glasgow at the
epicentre of a key strand of engineering. " Renewable energy is at the
heart of Scotland’s new economy and society, alongside carbon capture and
greater
energy efficiency. Achieving our ambitions requires a strong partnership
between Government, industry and the wider public sector", he said.
The selection of Glasgow follows the award of £2.8m of Regional Selective
Assistance under the programme operated by the Scottish Government.
Scottish Sourthern Energy currently employs over 70 staff in this area with
over 300 skilled - professional jobs being created. These jobs are expected
to be both highly skilled and highly paid. A recent study for the
government stated that there could be more than 12,000 jobs linked to
expansion of the marine energy industry, including manufacturing of turbines
and other equipments.
CEERE will be created in partnership with the University of
Strathclyde, and will be developed in central Glasgow over the next three
years. Until the development is completed, SSE has secured short-term
accommodation at the University.
Following a meeting of the Scottish government's Energy Advisory Board,
Minister Alex Salmond commented: "Renewable energy is at the heart of
Scotland's new economy and society, alongside carbon capture and greater
energy efficiency. Achieving our ambitions requires a strong partnership
between government, industry and the wider public sector".
The First Minister also said, "This initiative positions Glasgow at the
epicentre of a key strand of 21st century engineering, just as the city
dominated the engineering ages of the past. The regional selective
assistance that we are providing has helped secure a substantial economic
boost for Glasgow and deliver a major development to strengthen Scotland’s
position as a global leader in low carbon energy.”
SSE Chief Executive, Ian Marchant said: “Our Centre of Excellence which
will be known as CEERE will play a crucial part in helping SSE to realise
its renewable energy goals in the UK, Ireland and elsewhere in Europe,
helping
to secure energy supplies and contributing to the development of a lower
carbon economy.
“Having considered all of the options in mainland Europe, Ireland and the
UK, we have settled on Glasgow as the best location for CEERE, and the
city’s own sustainable energy ambitions also make it a very appropriate
choice. Working with the University of Strathclyde, and with the support
of the Scottish Government, we will create and secure several hundred
skilled
jobs for Scotland.
“Scotland’s ambition to become a leader in renewable energy is well known
and we are delighted to be making this investment in Scotland. We're very
positive about the prospects for creating new jobs to harness Europe’s
renewable energy resources and the potential make a significant
contribution to the achievement of Scotland’s ambitions".
Professor Jim McDonald, Principal of the University of Strathclyde said:
"If we are to address the challenges of climate change, rapid and
widespread deployment of renewable energy technologies is critical.
This
new partnership reflects Scotland's potential to be at the forefront of
the UK and European renewable energy sectors.
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