Spanish wind turbine manufacturer picks Scotland for its global base

The company said the site, which will house blade and nacelles manufacture, port logistics and O&M services, would be an important part of its long-term strategic relationship with the UK and a commitment to establishing the UK as the centre of its global offshore wind operations. The new facility will eventually create about 800 new jobs and represent an initial investment of about €150million (£125m). Gamesa's decision choose the Port of Leith followed a detailed process to identify a partner port to meet the company's manufacturing and operational requirements while "providing the optimum commercial solution". In 2011, Gamesa established a new R&D facility in Strathclyde, currently employing 60 engineers and expected to eventually employ 180 people. The company is in the process of moving its global offshore wind headquarters to its new London offices with an expected headcount of 70. Gamesa chairman and CEO Jorge Calvet praised government ministers and other UK agencies for the support the company had received. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said the announcement was a welcome boost to Leith and to the wider Edinburgh and Lothians economy, "with hundreds of quality engineering and other jobs coming to Scotland's capital city".