Engineering news
Engineering giant Doosan Power Systems has scrapped plans to develop offshore wind turbines in Scotland.
Just over a year ago the company announced its intention to locate a multi-million pound offshore wind renewables base at its site in Renfrew.
It has now blamed the “overall economic conditions and liquidity issues” for the decision to withdraw from plans to develop offshore turbines.
However, the company stressed that it remained “committed to working in Scotland and the UK as a whole”.
Last March First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the announcement from Doosan Power Systems, saying he was “delighted” the firm had chosen to base its new centre to “develop the next generation of offshore wind turbines” in Scotland.
The company planned to create a research and development centre, with assembly and manufacturing facilities also proposed.
At the time, Doosan Power Systems said it hoped to recruit approximately 700 staff over a period of 10 years.
However, in a statement, the company said it had decided late last year to abandon its plans for developing offshore turbines in Scotland.
It said: “In light of the overall economic conditions and liquidity issues in Europe, Doosan Power Systems decided in December 2011 to withdraw from its plans for developing offshore wind turbines in Scotland.
“However, the company remains committed to working in Scotland and the UK as a whole, as demonstrated by our continual investment in technology and product development as a global centre of excellence for the Doosan Group.
“We also continue to fully support the development of clean energy solutions.”
It added: “We informed the Scottish government and potential customers at the time. We were not prevented by the Scottish Government from releasing the news.”
The Scottish government said it was working extremely hard to secure positive investments in the renewable energy sector. “Since the turn of the year, when Doosan took the decision not to pursue offshore wind, both Samsung and Gamesa have announced their intention to develop and manufacture their next generation turbines in Scotland,” it said.
Tory finance spokesman Gavin Brown said it was “astonishing” that the Scottish government had known about Doosan's decision since December but had “decided not to share it with parliament or the rest of the country”.
He said: “The SNP are very keen to take credit when announcements are made but run for cover when there is bad news.”