New Edinburgh jobs – Edinburgh Photos – Malleny Garden – City Chambers – Panda poster
There will be as many as 1,000 new jobs in Leith following the announcement by Gamesa that they are planning to build their wind turbines there.
Gamesa’s decision to pursue Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) discussions with the Port of Leith follows a detailed process to identify a partner port which would meet the Company’s manufacturing and operational requirements whilst providing the optimum commercial solution for the Company.
Successful completion of MOU negotiations would mark a further stage in Gamesa’s engagement in the UK. In 2011, Gamesa established a new R&D facility in Strathclyde, currently employing over 60 engineers, which is steadily growing and is expected to employ 180 people. The Company is in the process of moving its global offshore wind headquarters to its new London offices with an expected head-count of 70 staff.
Gamesa Chairman and CEO, Jorge Calvet said:
“I am delighted that Gamesa will pursue MOU discussions with the Port of Leith aimed at manufacturing its technologically advanced wind turbines for the offshore sector there. If market conditions are favourable this would mean many high quality jobs for the area. I have only praise for the support we have received throughout this process from Government Ministers and agencies across the UK. We hope to play a central role in strengthening the UK’s offshore wind energy sector and improving security of energy supply in the future. In achieving this we would also minimize any environmental impact whilst continuing to invest in and build relationships with the local communities with which we shall be working. Selection of Leith, as our preferred partner for the MOU aimed at establishing a UK manufacturing base is only a first stage, but an important one.”
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“This is fantastic news for Scotland and shows that the UK remains an attractive place for foreign investment.”
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
”I’m delighted that Gamesa has chosen Scotland and the fantastic Port of Leith as its preferred location for the manufacture of its new model of offshore wind turbines. This is terrific news, meaning up to 1000 jobs and 150 million euro of investment in Scotland. Their decision, coming less than a year after opening their offshore wind technology centre near Glasgow, follows many detailed discussions with the Scottish Government, SDI and Scottish Enterprise and the company’s own careful analysis of locations offering the optimum environment to deliver its product.
”I look forward to the parties moving forward quickly to conclude the MoU, as today’s announcement is a welcome boost to Leith and to the wider Edinburgh and Lothians economy – with hundreds of quality engineering and other jobs coming to Scotland’s capital city.”
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On Sunday the Edinburgh Photographic Society put on their Annual Exhibition from 11-5 at their premises at 68 Great King Street.
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Get out and about in Balerno this weekend. Malleny Garden is gearing up for spring (notwithstanding the haar across the city this morning!)
Work is underway at the National Trust for Scotland’s Malleny Garden in Balerno as staff and volunteers prepare for the peak visitor season once again.
A spokesperson for NTS said:-“The garden is open all year round but is at its busiest and most beautiful during the spring and summer.
Malleny Garden is a beautiful tranquil spot, within a short distance of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, renowned for its old-fashioned roses, and centuries old yew trees.
Malleny Garden is open daily, all year round from 10.00 until 17.00, or dusk if earlier.”
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The City Chambers is open this weekend from 12 noon till 4pm if you might want to have a look at the building as a venue for a wedding. The venue staff can organise everything in the building which has one of the most spectacular views from the windows at the back down on to Princes Street.
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Buy The Scotsman today and get a free……..panda poster!
