£12.5m wind technology site opened - graduate jobs

Spanish firm Gamesa has officially opened a new £12.5 million offshore wind technology centre near Glasgow that will bring new jobs for graduates to the region.

Some 40 engineers are currently working at the centre, which is located at Strathclyde Business Park in Bellshill.

Gamesa plans to increase the workforce at the centre to over 100 by the end of 2011 and to 180 within three years.

The turbine manufacturer has also signed a strategic research partnership agreement with the University of Strathclyde for a research cluster in the Doctoral Training Centre of Wind Energy Systems.

First Minister Alex Salmond, who took part in the opening ceremony, said: "Clearly this market is highly mobile and Gamesa's decision to develop its next generation turbine technology in Scotland is a strong endorsement of our workforce and of the level of skills and expertise that we can offer inward investors who chose to establish here."

Jorge Calvet, chairman of Gamesa, said: "Our commitment is strong and we are ready to play a role in the offshore wind market. Our Offshore Wind 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."

Copyright Press Association 2011