Tuesday 27 July 2010

Leith Still on Course for Massive Offshore Renewables Investment Boost

Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP (Lothians) (SNP) has welcomed the publication of Stage 2 of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP) - which keeps Leith firmly on the map as a key development site for the manufacture and maintenance of offshore renewable power equipment. The Scottish Enterprise report, published today, aims to lay the platform for eleven key sites - including Leith - to share in a combined public and private investment of £223 million, supporting the creation of 5,180 jobs and generating a significant economic boost to the locations identified.
Ms Somerville, a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Climate Change Committee said:
"Leith is ideally placed to take advantage of the growing renewables industry in the North Sea. Developing part of the docks area as a site for the manufacture and maintenance of offshore renewable equipment has enormous potential to bring new skilled jobs and a major economic boost to the area.
This report also illustrates that tackling climate change doesn’t always have to be painful – it can bring major economic gains too. I look forward to seeing these plans developed and this new ambition for Leith being realised".