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Monday 6 December 2010

Mitsubishi confirms offshore wind power investment in Scotland

Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe (MPSE) announced today that it will invest up to £100 million in a Scottish offshore wind research and development centre with the goal of commercialising efficient renewable technology. The new research and development project in Scotland could lead to mass production of Mitsubishi’s low-cost and recyclable offshore wind technology, according to an announcement today.

The company has acquired Edinburgh University offshoot Artemis Intelligent Power (AIP) to support its research and development work, and confirmed it will establish the MPSE Centre for Advanced Technology (MCAT) within the Edinburgh area.

This announcement builds on the UK Government’s commitment earlier in 2010 to provide funding of up to £30 million to support MPSE's investment of up to £100 million over the next five years, confirming Mitsubishi's intention to invest in the UK.

"I want the UK to be the world’s number one destination for the research, development and deployment of offshore wind turbines," said Charles Hendry, UK Minister of State for Energy.

"This announcement is a real vote of confidence in innovation in our renewables sector and I am delighted that the potential of this technology has been recognised by a major global player. This represents exactly the kind of investment we want to encourage in the UK."

Development of new technology
MSPE and AIP will focus on the development of Digital Displacement Transmission (DDT) hydraulic technology for use in a large-scale offshore wind turbines, technology which Mitsubishi claims will prove "game changing" in cutting the cost of offshore wind power. If the technology is successful, it could lead to the creation of a major offshore wind turbine manufacturing site.

The Scottish economy may also see an increase in employment over the next five years as the company estimates it will create 200 new jobs during its move from research and development through to demonstration and then mass production. The 25 existing jobs at AIP will also be protected, and as many as 30 additional engineering jobs could be created next year.

AIP was awarded a £912,000 grant from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in September 2009, to develop and test their DDT system technology for offshore wind. The firm’s managing director Win Rampen said the acquisition by MSPE marks further progression for the technology.

"Drawing on the breadth and depth of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries expertise and skills, AIP looks forward to accelerating its R&D work with a view to its technology being used in turbines in UK and European waters by 2015," said Rampen.

Despite the take-over, AIP will continue as an independent technology company and its current organisation of senior engineers will be maintained in order to continue the development of the DDT technology.

Impact for the UK
The announcement today was welcomed by Government leaders as well as the directors of several environmental organisations, including WWF Scotland, which cited the significant role this investment will play for Scotland.

"The news that Mitsubishi has decided to make a major investment in our renewable industry demonstrates that Scotland is a major global player on marine energy," said Dr. Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland. "It shows the huge opportunities we have to develop the green technologies that will play an essential role in global efforts to tackle climate change while also helping build a low-carbon economy for Scotland."

MPSE chief executive Akio Fukui said the project could make the UK a key player in the offshore wind supply chain.

"This builds on our existing partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy on low-carbon energy developments, including offshore wind, and we are very pleased to be working with the UK and Scottish governments to turn this vision into a heavy engineering reality," said Fukui.

Bron: Greenwisebusiness.co.uk

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