A NEW £50 million centre aimed at accelerating the commercialisation of green technologies will be based in Glasgow.
The Government announced yesterday the so-called Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult will have its headquarters at the city's Strathclyde University, with a second base at the National Renewable Energy Centre in north-east England.
The centre will focus on technologies for offshore wind, wave and tidal power and is designed to bridge the gap between university research and full commercialisation.
The bid for the Centre was developed by a UK-wide consortium including the Carbon Trust, National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec), and Ocean Energy Innovation – a group of major players in renewables including Strathclyde University. It will receive up to £10m per year over five years from the Technology Strategy Board, a UK Government funded body.
Speaking at the launch of the centre in Glasgow, UK Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Our offshore renewable sector can compete on a global scale and has huge potential for growth.
"If we can harness that, we will generate billions of pounds for the economy while creating thousands of job opportunities at the same time.
"The Catapult centre will be based in a Scottish world-class centre of excellence, part of a collaboration with a centre in the north-east of England."
The Scottish Government has committed to generating the equivalent of 100% of its electricity consumption from renewable energy and Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said the latest announcement was recognition of the country's leading position in the development of offshore renewables technology.
Mr Ewing said: "The waters around these islands, and off Scotland in particular, offer the greatest offshore renewables resources in Europe.
"Building on that natural advantage, this new industry-led partnership – including Scotland's two major utilities – can help accelerate the development of clean green energy to power the continent sustainably.
"Major overseas companies such as Mitsubishi, Gamesa, Samsung, ABB, Alstom, E.ON and Vattenfall are already working with leading Scottish energy and engineering firms to invest in the development of pioneering wind and marine energy technologies.
"Today's decision is a further, welcome recognition of Scotland's leading position – and that of the city of Glasgow – in this endeavour, taking us a further step towards the re-industrialisation of our country."
The headquarters of the Catapult centre will be in the International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone, which already includes Strathclyde University's £89m Technology Innovation Centre.
Mr Ewing said £24m of funding through Scottish Enterprise had been committed to the zone, along with £15m from the Scottish Funding Council.
Professor Jim McDonald, principal of Strathclyde University and chairman of the Energy Technology Partnership, said: "By securing the UK Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, the country will build on our already globally competitive reputation for advances in renewable technology and deployment.
"Our world-class research base offers distinct advantages and will accelerate industrial innovation. We will help to develop and drive the industry over the coming 10 years and beyond."
He added: "The activities of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult will provide the foundation for a large, vibrant and dynamic offshore renewables industry that is a global leader and a significant contributor to the nation's economic growth through the near and longer terms."
Professor McDonald said the investment, along with the university's Technology and Innovation Centre, will make the site one of the largest concentrations of research and education in power and energy technologies in the world.
WWF Scotland director Richard Dixon said: "To reduce climate emissions it is vital we begin to fully tap into the massive renewable energy potential lying out at sea and along our coastline."
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