'A crucial role to play' — Dundee told it has a bright future in green jobs
Alex Salmond says Dundee's confirmation as a key location for offshore renewables manufacturing is a ''wonderful statement'' about the city's future.
The news is being viewed as a vote of confidence in the future of Dundee Port after the recent Gamesa disappointment.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 16.12.11
- Published online : 16.12.11 @ 09.45am
The First Minister was speaking on Thursday after a memorandum of understanding opened the door to Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) setting up a manufacturing plant for wind turbines at the city harbour.
As The Courier exclusively revealed on Wednesday, it is thought the port has the potential to eventually support around 700 jobs — an estimate described as ''conservative''.
Mr Salmond met representatives of Dundee City Council, port owners Forth Ports, Scottish Enterprise and SSE to witness the signing at Government headquarters.
The move followed the collapse of a similar agreement with Spanish firm Gamesa, which said the harbour was too small for its requirements.
Mr Salmond has regularly championed Dundee's future in renewable energy and said the agreement with SSE gave him ''great personal satisfaction''.
He told The Courier: ''What this demonstrates is that Dundee is very much in demand. It is a key statement of intent. It is also a wonderful statement about Dundee's future.
''We are not there yet, but this is an essential first part of the process and the memorandum of understanding will allow us to carry this forward.
''Dundee is ideally placed to become a key hub for the rapidly growing multi-billion pound offshore renewables industry, particularly in offshore wind.
''The work that follows the signing will not only ensure the port is used most effectively, but will ensure that the public and private sector work together to re-energise the city more widely.''
It was revealed work to prepare the port for offshore wind manufacturing — largely funded by Scottish Enterprise — could start as early as next year.
It is intended to capitalise on the port's strategic importance by maximising the use of the existing space and providing a platform for future investment.
It is envisaged manufacturing, installation and maintenance of wind turbines for a range of firms could take place at the port.
There have already been ''numerous'' inquiries from firms interested in Dundee and a master plan of how to proceed is being drawn up.
Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, predicted many of the jobs could be in place within four to seven years.
''The Port of Dundee and the wider city region have a crucial role to play in the future of Scotland's renewables sector,'' she said. ''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.''
Sandy Biggar, director of procurement for SSE, said the announcement shows the strength of the firm's commitment to Dundee.
He added: ''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.''
And Forth Ports chief executive Charles Hammond predicted the port will eventually support more jobs than the current ''conservative estimate'' of 700.
''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,'' he said.
Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild, who chairs the Dundee Renewables group, said the agreement is a ''great moment'' for the city.
''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,'' he said.
Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison said the agreement marked the beginning of Dundee's ''renewables revolution''.
But Dundee Labour MSP Jenny Marra said: ''We have got to make sure that this time it is more than just a memorandum of understanding and brings real jobs to our city.''
- See Friday's paper for further coverage of the announcement and what it means for the Dundee area
10.17am - 16.12.2011 Dr John Cameron - St Andrews, UK Report This
Both in the US and the EU all attempts to alleviate unemployment with green jobs have proved a failure. Such jobs merely replace jobs in other sectors and actually contribute less to economic growth. It is a tempting idea but sadly it doesn’t work.
10.51am - 16.12.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Typically, in a good news story for Dundee, the Labour response is in the negative. As I've said before, if the SNP created a social, economic and cultural paradise for Scotland, Labour would moan about it. They just can't help themselves.
11.01am - 16.12.2011 T.W. - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
"wonderful statement" - and that's all it is. The messageboards outside my local nrewsagent tells of a jobs bonanza for Dundee. But does that relate to the Gamesa or this annouincement?
11.55am - 16.12.2011 John Jones - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Memorandum of understanding? OK, but hold the champagne. Gamesa had one and still walked away. And this is currently all SSE are signed up to. The harsh reality is that there is as yet no commitment to a single new job for Dundee. For once (!) Miss Marra actually has a point.
01.16pm - 16.12.2011 Andrew Smith - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Dr Cameron, that is a glib, sweeping statement and I don't believe there is any credible evidence to back it up. What 'other sectors' might these energy jobs be robbing workers of? Coal mining?
02.28pm - 16.12.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
J Jones; I don't remember Gamesa having such a memorandum. They only "considered" Dundee alongside Leith and Hartlepool. This is a Dundee only deal. Dr C, renewables can take individuals from other Hi Tec industries, but that doesn't mean they don't recruit replacements. All such jobs create wealth.
04.02pm - 16.12.2011 mark - dundee, scotland Report This
stuart i think you will find they did develop a memorandum, as reported in this very paper, maybe if you took those blinkers off you would see it http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Dundee/article/19415/gamesa-pulls-plug-disappointing-end-to-months-of-uncertainty-for-dundee.html
03.19pm - 17.12.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Fair enough Mark, I hadn't read that story. However, that "memorandum" was only to consider Dundee alongside Leith and Hartlepool. This "memorandum" is a Dundee only thing. Try to look on the positive side. It's hard for Unionists I know, but constant negativety is debilitating for all concerned.
05.32pm - 17.12.2011 John Jones - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Stuart Allan: Your memory fails you. Gamesa agreed an MoU with Dundee Council in Jan 2011. But they later resiled because our port is "too small" (seemingly an unknowable key fact at the outset!). As I said, ignore the spin and hold the champers at least until actual contracts are signed.
09.08pm - 21.12.2011 Youngy, student - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
Stuart, how could you fail to read that particular article yet state without hesitation that there wasn't one. Dundee needs champions, not SNP chumpions.
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