Dundee is on the shortlist of locations for a major wind turbine manufacturing base that would bring 500 jobs to the city.
Speaking exclusively to The Courier, First Minister Alex Salmond said Korean manufacturer Doosan Power Systems has Dundee as a potential site for a major plant the company wants to build on the east coast of Scotland.
The company is to invest up to £170 million in the Scottish wind power industry over the next 10 years.
Last week, it announced plans to build a factory in Scotland that will manufacture wind turbines for use on and offshore.
This would create up to 500 direct jobs and a further 1000 supply-side jobs.
The firm is also building a research centre in Renfrew that will create a further 200 jobs.
Doosan and Scottish Enterprise have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the company’s operations in Scotland.
The firm intends to locate its R&D centre of excellence for renewables at its established base in Renfrew.
Doosan also intends to establish an assembly and manufacturing facility, and The Courier can reveal Dundee is among chief candidates for that investment.
The news follows the announcement that Spanish firm Gamesa intends to build a £127 million manufacturing and maintenance base in Dundee that would bring 200 long-term jobs.
If Doosan does confirm Dundee as its preferred site, the project would make the city the renewables capital of Scotland, if not the UK.
First Minister Alex Salmond revealed Dundee was a shortlisted site in an exclusive interview with The Courier. He said, “Scotland has three of the world’s top six wind turbine manufacturers. The reason they are here is that we have the best skills. The Government in Scotland is totally committed to renewables.
“There is Mitsubishi, Gamesa who have already recognised Dundee as a preferred location and Doosan. Doosan has chosen Scotland as a manufacturing location because Scotland has half the entire wind resource of Europe.
“Doosan has Dundee on its shortlist for its Scottish base if it is chosen, it will bring 500 jobs to the city. The benefits of renewable investment in this country will be astounding.”
Wind power group director at Doosan Power Systems, Mike Garnett, said, “Last week, Doosan announced a major Scottish wind power business initiative with an investment of up to £170 million over the next 10 years, supported by Scottish Enterprise.”