The Kintyre peninsula is back on the manufacturing map with the establishment of a major wind turbine plant.

Vestas Wind Systems, a world leader in wind power generation, chose Machrihanish near Campbeltown as the site for their new wind turbine manufacturing plant which was officially opened today (Monday May 6, 2002) by First Minister Jack McConnell.

Vestas, who have a number of plants in other worldwide locations, have a strong reputation for their commitment to their staff and their development. Vestas-Celtic Wind technology Ltd, the new Scottish entity, has already recruited 101 people and a further 20 staff are expected to be employed by the end of this year. In addition it is estimated that economic spin-offs will create another 44 jobs in the area. Many of the plant's employees have been recruited from the former Campbeltown shipyard and training to adapt their existing skills in engineering, welding and metal work is underway. 

Managing director of Vestas Tom K. Pederson said: "This Machrihanish plant is a continuation of Vestas' practise of establishing jobs in rural areas, close to the wind resource. The wind energy market in the UK and Ireland is expected to amount to almost £6 billion over the coming 10 years and we aim to capture a fair share of this. The new plant is strategically located to serve both these markets, conditioned on re-establishment of ferry links to Ireland."

Chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Dr. Jim Hunter said: "The Highlands and Islands has the potential to be the UK's leader in renewable energy technology. The success of the Campbeltown plant confirms that the region has the capacity, knowledge and skills to accomodate state-of-the-art wind power plants.

"The scale of our available natural resources is substantial - to put it in some context the Highlands and Islands has the capacity to renewably generate as much energy as the whole of Scotland currently consumes. In addition, research we carried out last year indicates that the development of wind and wave power and the processing of forestry and waste products for bio-mass power plants could create as many as 4,000 new jobs in the area." 

The 100,000 square foot purpose-built Vestas factory on the site of the former RAF Machrihanish base was built by Argyll and the Islands Enterprise at a cost of £9.4 million, which includes £3.6 million from the EU. In addition Vestas have also invested a further £3 million in equipping the plant with its production equipment.

Chief executive of Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE), Ken Abernethy said: "Securing a long-term manufacturing base in Campbletown is a major boost for the Kintyre peninsula. We fought off stiff international competition to bring the Vestas plant to Argyll and we are delighted to see the doors officially open today.

"Kintyre is a priority area for AIE and the HIE network and besides creating high quality jobs, the Vestas plant will help to further improve the area's infrastructure and will help safeguard the future of the Ballycastle ferry service.

"The local economy has already seen significant spin-off benefits including a major contract for the Argyll bakery to supply the Vestas canteen and a marked increase in hotel bookings in Campbeltown and the surrounding area."
 
Scottish Power, who are at the forefront of renewable energy technology, played a key role in bringing Vestas to Argyll.

Alan Mortimer Head of Wind Development Scottish Power said: "Today's opening represents a huge vote of confidence by both government and private sector in the future market for renewable energy in Scotland and is warmly welcomed by Scottish Power. We were a driving force behind the local campaign to attract investment for the new factory and we hope it will plug into the UK expansion of windpower projects.

"Vestas have already won a Scottish Power contract to install and service the new windfarm at Beinn an Tuirc in mid Kintyre, which was completed last year and is now producing more green energy than any other windfarm in the UK.

"Over the next eight years Scottish Power will be investing £400 million in renewable energy and it is very rewarding that the Scottish economy will be benefiting directly from the new business."