The company yesterday confirmed that the Technology Centre will be located at
Strathclyde Business Park, about eight miles east of Glasgow city centre.
It said the recruitment process had started and will be completed by July/August with around 40 engineering staff. It added it had with the potential to grow this to more than 100 by the end of this year - rising to 180 within three years of the Centre being operational. It is due to be officially opened in the autumn.
Gamesa chairman and chief executive Jorge Calvet confirmed the firm’s commitment to Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond following a meeting this week in Edinburgh.
"Our commitment is strong and we are preparing to play a role in the offshore wind market," said Calvet.
"Our Offshore Technology Centre in Glasgow represents an important step in this strategy. Our offshore plans could generate significant local, skilled and sustainable jobs over the coming years. I would like to recognise the support and commitment from the Scottish Government and its development agencies during the ongoing discussions around these investment plans."
Salmond confirmed that the technology centre would receive a £1.5m regional selective assistance to support its development.
The confirmation of the technology centre site follows Gamesa’s initial indication that it would locate such a facility in Scotland in January.
Gamesa has indicated it is also prepared to invest in manufacturing, logistics and operations and maintenance in Scotland, conditional upon development of offshore wind projects in the area, securing government support and the availability of sites for prototypes.
If implemented successfully, Gamesa's offshore plan could represent an investment of around €50 million in Scotland and create 300 jobs.
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