Scotland opens Green Energy research centre

The Scottish government's plan to establish the country as one of Europe's top clean energy hubs has received a dual boost following the opening of a new Green Energy research centre and confirmation of plans to expand one of the UK's few wind turbine factories at Campbeltown.

The Scottish European Green Energy Centre (SEGEC) at the University of Aberdeen was officially opened yesterday by Scottish first minister Alex Salmond, alongside the announcement that the centre has secured £1.6m in EU funding to add to the £1m investment promised by the Scottish government over the next three years.

The centre will work on the development of a range of low carbon energy technologies, including marine energy, offshore wind, long-distance super grid development, carbon capture and storage, renewable heat and energy efficiency, and will particularly focus on building links with the business community.

"The official opening of SEGEC is an important step forward in building Scotland's growing reputation as the green global powerhouse of Europe," said Salmond. "It will help Scotland secure a more influential role in the development of green energy and how this country can play its role in support of ambitious, EU wide targets."

He added that the centre had already played a key role in putting forward major bids for EU support for projects including major sub-sea grids and carbon transport, and that he expected it to significantly strengthen "Scotland's position as leader in sustainable energy demonstration and deployment".

The opening comes just days after Danish wind turbine manufacturer Skykon confirmed that it is to begin work on expanding the Cambeltown factory it acquired earlier this year from rival Vestas.

In a move that will once again shine a spotlight on Vestas' controversial decision to close its UK wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight citing weak demand, Skykon said it planned to extend the Cambeltown turbine tower manufacturing plant by building a new 14,000sq m factory and R&D unit.

The company said that it had appointed Per Staehr as chairman of Welcon Towers, the subsidiary that runs the Campbelltown facility, as it continues to extend the management team for its expanding operations.