UK: Dundee’s Councillors to Decide on Backing Offshore Renewable Energy Institute

A proposed Offshore Renewable Energy Institute to be based in Dundee could come a step closer next week.

Councillors will be asked at a meeting next week to back a £10,000 contribution to the creation of a detailed business plan for the institute.

Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “Such an institute would provide a comprehensive service to the offshore renewables industry in fields as diverse as regulation and design, fabrication and installation of offshore structures.

“With the offshore renewables industry projected to develop over the next 15 years, to become worth around £100 billion to the UK economy and provide more than 30,000 jobs in Scotland, for Dundee to be the base of such a high level of expertise in a very young industry would be a massive boost for the city.

“An Offshore Renewable Energy Institute could open up considerable worldwide opportunities for the city and itself provide high levels of employment.”

Dundee has been identified by the Scottish Government as one of the key locations for manufacturing and associated activity for offshore renewals and the first consents for offshore wind fields east of Dundee have been lodged with them.

Cllr Dawson added: “Our partners at the University of Dundee, where the institute would be based, have said that in order to properly prepare for its creation a detailed business plan should be drawn up.

“They have identified MacAskill Associates for the task at a cost of £97,600, of which the university will pay £28,000 of staff time and £25,000 in cash and contributions are being sought from industrial partners of £20,000 and Scottish Enterprise of £14,600.

“This will be a prestigious institute that will contribute to the capability of the city within the renewables industry and add to the international standing of the University of Dundee and the city.” 

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Press release, January 23, 2013; Image: Palfinger