energy giant SSE has put up £15 million and Scottish Enterprise £4.3m to build a wind turbine testing facility at Hunterston in North Ayrshire, which it is hoped will ensure the rapidly growing sector creates jobs in Scotland.

Of the three test berths, SSE will use two to test the turbine technology of its supply chain partners, German engineer Siemens and Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe.

Meanwhile, Scottish Enterprise will hold a competition to allocate the lease for the third berth with the aim of attracting a turbine manufacturer that will create jobs.

A spokeswoman for Scottish Enterprise said the primary criteria used to assess bids will be a commitment to undertake manufacturing and/or research and development of wind turbines in Scotland.

"It is anticipated the competition will be launched by December with the preferred manufacturer being announced in spring 2013," the spokeswoman added.

The site at the port of Hunterston will allow onshore testing because conditions are similar to those offshore.

But by testing on land the manufacturer has easy access to make modifications and repairs.

Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: "There are currently no test sites of this kind in the UK and the development at Hunterston will give us a significant competitive advantage – helping to establish Scotland as a centre of expertise in offshore wind research, development and manufacturing."

It is expected that a relatively small number of construction posts and jobs in the testing facility will be created. The big jobs prize will be if the location of the testing centre anchors a turbine manufacturer in Scotland.

Trade body Scottish Renewables has estimated that 28,000 jobs could be created by the offshore wind industry by 2020 but there have been worries the country could miss out on many of the economic benefits if turbines are imported.

Signs have been mixed so far. Earlier this year Spanish company Gamesa signed a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Leith over establishing a manufacturing facility there.

But it has cautioned this would require a secure pipeline of orders.

It has also laid off a small number of workers from its offshore wind technology centre at Bellshill.

Perth-based SSE, formerly Scottish & Southern Energy, revealed its plans for the Hunterston site last year and consent was received from North Ayrshire Council in February.

SSE's finance director, Gregor Alexander, said: "This ground-breaking venture will be an important stepping stone towards fulfilling renewables targets in an affordable way in our move towards a low carbon economy."

The main civil works at the site will start this autumn. Turbine works will begin in March with the first of the turbines for testing expected to arrive in Hunterston by sea in late 2013.