Scottish renewable energy park gets funding boost
Elaine Brass
24th August 2009
Energy Park Fife, a 134-acre site on the east coast of Scotland for companies working in the renewable sector, has had £13 million of funding approved by the Scottish Enterprise Board.
Energy Park Fife is one of Scottish Enterprise's key projects for the
development of Scotland's energy sector. It was named as a site of national importance by the Scottish Government
when it first received funding of £10 million in 2006 and it is hoped this second tranche of funding will help Scotland secure a significant share of the UK
offshore wind market – estimated to be worth £19 billion.
The additional funding will be used to upgrade the quayside and undertake coastal protection works, contributing to the extensive work already achieved during the first phase. Scottish Enterprise claimed it had the
potential of creating more than 800 jobs and up to £198 million in
'gross value added' to Scotland over the next 10 years.
"With extensive acreage and deep water load-out facilities [Energy Park Fife] is perfectly placed to service the European offshore wind market, providing infrastructure and accommodation for leading edge companies to grow and expand," said Linda McPherson, regional director, Scottish Enterprise. "Since our investment of over £10 million in the first phase of this project in 2006, we have seen employment treble with around 300 people now employed at the park. This is expected to grow as further companies locate on the park and we look forward to continued partnership working with Fife Council on the future development of the energy park.”
Jim Mather, minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism said: “We want all areas of Scotland to be able to fully harness our vast potential for cheap, clean and green electricity. Maximising that potential brings huge economic and community benefit and this massive investment will enable the Fife Energy Park to further develop, creating hundreds of local jobs."
Because of its close proximity to the offshore wind farm leasing sites in the North Sea, Mather said the park was ideally placed to serve the European offshore wind market. "A key part of our economic recovery programme is to bring forward investment for key capital projects such as the Fife Energy Park to support the local and national economy while also preserving and creating jobs," he said.