Alex Salmond has refused to commit to any timescale for the arrival of 700 renewable energy jobs he promised Dundee two years ago.
The First Minister oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding in December 2011 that pledged manufacturing opportunities in the city but failed to offer any insight into when they might arrive when questioned by The Courier on Wednesday.
Instead he blamed the delay on the Electricity Market Reform Bill making its way through Westminster, which was in place when the memorandum was penned.
Mr Salmond said: “(The Electricity Market Reform is) the delay in the ability to announce offshore wind jobs in Scotland and that is self-evident from the statements of the companies and the uncertainty that is caused to the market place.
“In terms of being able to make announcements, you’ll have noticed the published understanding between Gamesa and Areva in January saying they are going to work together and the Scottish Government is actively involved in negotiations with these companies.”
It emerged last month that the two companies who are planning to build wind turbine factories in Scotland are in talks to form a joint venture that could mean reduced manufacturing plans.
Gamesa of Spain and French firm Areva both announced in 2012 they planned manufacturing in the east of Scotland. These are not yet firm commitments.
Areva said in November 2012 that it wants to build a plant, and could create up to 750 jobs. This was expected to be in Dundee although it has been speculated that it could be in Edinburgh’s docklands.
In December 2011, Mr Salmond met representatives of Dundee City Council, port owners Forth Ports, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding at Government headquarters in Edinburgh.
It was supposed to open the door to SSE setting up a manufacturing plant for wind turbines at the city harbour.
During the cross examination, at an event with journalists, Mr Salmond also praised the transformational works under way in the city, including the waterfront redevelopment, and pledged continued investment from ministers.
He added: “The Scottish Government will do everything possible to keep assisting Dundee as it powers forward.”
Labour’s Dundee-based MSP Jenny Marra said the First Minister needs to “roll up his sleeves” to ensure the jobs are delivered.
She said: “Alex Salmond blames someone else for renewables jobs not yet arriving in Dundee, but he was happy enough to get his picture taken in Dundee two years ago promising 700 jobs.
“He knew then that Electricity Market Reform was on the cards but still made a personal promise of 700 jobs for our city.
“The First Minister has to make good his front page headline and roll up his sleeves to get these jobs to Dundee.
“Renewables jobs are a vital part of our exciting regeneration.”