SSE plumps for Glasgow for £20m Renewable Energy centre

CEERE is part of a £3 billion renewable energy investment programme currently underway by SSE and will focus on managing all the stages – from design to asset monitoring – of SSE’s portfolio of onshore and offshore wind farms in Europe. It is being set up in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and will create around 300 skilled-professional jobs.

"Having considered all of the options in mainland Europe, Ireland and the UK, we have settled on Glasgow as the best location for CEERE," said SSE chief executive, Ian Marchant. "Working with the University of Strathclyde, and with the support of the Scottish Government, we will create and secure several hundred skilled jobs for Scotland."

The University of Strathclyde pioneers research in power engineering and energy research, and until CEERE is completed over the next three years,will host short-term accommodation for SSE.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, who was present at the launch of the CEERE, said: “I’m delighted that Scottish and Southern Energy – the UK’s largest generator of electricity from renewables – has decided to establish its Centre of Engineering Excellence in Glasgow. This is a significant commitment and investment by SSE in Glasgow and in Scotland, creating some 250 high quality jobs and safeguarding a further 70.

"Furthermore this initiative positions Glasgow at the epicentre of a key strand of 21st century engineering, just as the city dominated the engineering ages of the past. The regional selective assistance that we are providing has helped secure a substantial economic boost for Glasgow and deliver a major development to strengthen Scotland’s position as a global leader in low carbon energy.”

Marchant added: "We're very positive about the prospects of creating new jobs to harness Europe’s renewable energy resources and the potential to make a significant contribution to the achievement of Scotland’s ambitions.”