http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/articles/i/5175/?cid=3

The renewables sector in Scotland got a double boost last week with new funds for a research centre in Glasgow and the opening of the offices of a German wind turbine manufacturer in Edinburgh.

European funding of £6.7 million will enable the completion of the Technology & Innovation Centre (TIC) at Strathclyde University, which aims to develop a world-leading centre for the development of renewable energy technologies and others like pharmaceutical manufacturing and advanced engineering.

The TIC has already secured £89 million from a number of partners including Scottish Enterprise & Scottish Funding Council and aims, with the help of industry partners, to double its research investment from £70 million to £150 million over the next five years.

"It is a substantial boost for our renewables industry that we have secured the final £6.7 million that will enable this world class project to go ahead," said Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil. "I am sure this project can prove a real boost for our economy, securing massive research investment and hundreds of new jobs."

The Centre will initially create up to 500 new research, technology and engineering jobs.

"For the world class expertise we have in areas like renewables to flourish, we need to put in place the right infrastructure and superb facilities," added Neil. "That is exactly what the TIC at Strathclyde University will provide."

Meanwhile, also adding to Scotland's 11,000 renewables-related jobs is German wind turbine manufacturer Enercon, which is creating 13 jobs at its new offices in Edinburgh.

The company, which is headquartered in Lower Saxony, is the largest German producer of onshore wind turbines and has supplies a number of Scotland's wind farms.

Enercon's Edinburgh office will serve as a hub for the company's UK sales, engineering and consultancy work.

"Enercon's decision to be based in Scotland reflects the country's reputation as a genuine world leader in green energy and our targets reflect the scale of our natural resources, the strength of our energy capabilities and the value we place on creating new, sustainable industries," commented Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Fergus Ewing at the official opening.