Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has today welcomed the news that Korean giant Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is to base its first European offshore wind project in Fife in an inward venture worth up to £100m that is expected to create more than 500 new jobs in Scotland.
The announcement came at the Scottish Offshore Wind and Supply Chain Conference in Aberdeen, at which the First Minister was delivering a keynote speech.
In conjunction with its decision to develop its offshore wind technology at the Energy Park in Fife, SHI has signed a multimillion pound deal with East Kilbride-based Clyde Blowers' owned company, David Brown Gear Systems (David Brown), to supply gearbox systems for its next generation offshore wind turbine.
SHI will now work closely with economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise and Fife Council under a strategic agreement to develop the company's ambitious project in Fife, which subject to successful test and demonstration of its technology would result in nacelle, gear box assembly and blade manufacturing facilities in Scotland. SHI activities at Methil will also be subject to the appropriate planning consent.
Samsung's announcement follows investments by other companies including Taqa, Avaloq, FMC Technologies, Aker, Ineos, PetroChina, Dell, Gamesa, BNY Mellon, State Street, Amazon, Hewlett-Packard and Mitsubishi Powers Systems.
First Minister Alex Salmond, said "I am extremely pleased to welcome this inward investment by Samsung Heavy Industries which further reinforces Scotland's place in the development of the next generation of offshore wind turbines.
"Their choice of Scotland as their first base in Europe for renewable technology development is testament to the fact this country is fast becoming the European centre for research and development in new offshore wind technologies. For Methil to be chosen as the test site for Samsung Heavy Industries' new 7MW wind turbine is another example of this country's ability to secure investment from global multinationals.
"Scottish Enterprise, Fife Council and Scottish Development International are committed to work with Samsung Heavy Industries and David Brown to secure further investment in the form of a new wind turbine facility and associated gearbox plant at the Fife Energy Park at Methil - a significant move in that it could see much needed high-value employment in this area of Scotland."
David Brown will design and supply the new gearbox system for SHI's next generation offshore wind turbine as the Korean company enters the European offshore wind industry.
The company intends to co-locate a gearbox assembly plant to supply the SHI facility at Methil.
Insik Roh, CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, said: "We are pleased to be participating in the development of the Energy Park at Methil at such an exciting time for the Scottish renewable energy industry.
“The testing of the new 7MW offshore wind turbine at the Fife Energy Park signifies a milestone in the development of Samsung's new wind turbine generator system. We hope to contribute to the Scottish economy through successful testing and certification of our cutting edge offshore wind turbine and ultimately through establishment of our manufacturing facility here in Methil."
Today's news was welcomed by green groups and local industry leaders.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said: "While other parts of the economy are sluggish or even going backwards the renewables industry is going from strength to strength. This investment will create jobs and help reduce carbon emissions, making it excellent news for Fife, for Scotland and for the environment.
"This investment is another vote of confidence in Scotland as a key location to do business in renewable energy. This is an industry which is already spending hundreds of billions around the globe every year and we are now a key player in this rapidly growing sector.
“Renewable energy will be bigger than oil for Scotland and the Government needs to put it even more firmly at the centre of its economic and jobs strategies. Together, renewable energy and energy efficiency can get us off its oil addiction and create one of the world's first modern zero-carbon economies."
Lena Wilson, Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted that Samsung Heavy Industries has indentified Scotland as the location for developing its offshore wind technology. Not only does this project further emphasise Scotland's leading position as a hub of expertise for test and demonstration of next generation offshore wind technology but it underlines the fact that we boast an excellent business environment for offshore wind with leading facilities such as the Energy Park in Fife.
"We acquired the site in Fife six years ago and, alongside Fife Council, have invested some £17 million to date to develop the industrial land into a 21st century facility for the developing renewables sector. Under our new strategic agreement we will work closely with SHI and look to further enhance the Energy Park to ensure it offers the very best facilities for offshore wind manufacturing and assembly."
Cllr Peter Grant, Leader of Fife Council, said: "This is an important milestone for Fife in its ambition to become the leading green council in Scotland, and is another great success for the Invest in Fife partnership which brings together Fife Council, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International.
"This potential investment by two global leaders proves yet again that Fife is becoming one of the easiest places to do business and builds on the back of recent investments totalling almost £400 million by Amazon, Diageo, and RWE."
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