Wind manufacturing base in Leith good news for low carbon economy

Commenting on the news today (23 March 2012) that wind turbine company Gamesa intends to set up its UK manufacturing base in Leith, Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Policy and Parliamentary Officer Francis Stuart said:

“This is great news for Leith and great news for Scotland’s ambitions to become a low carbon economy. Creating a domestic manufacturing base for offshore wind turbines and other renewable technologies is a crucial step if we want the jobs associated with renewables to come to Scotland.

“The renewables industry is clearly going from strength to strength and the UK and Scottish Government must ensure the green economy is at the forefront of plans to kick-start the economy and create jobs.

Earlier this week George Osborne announced tax breaks for the oil industry and subsequent consents for risky deepwater drilling off the coast of Shetland. Rather than investing in the polluting industries of the past, investments in renewables and energy efficiency offer the opportunity to kick-start our economy, create jobs, and put us on the path to a long-term, environmentally sustainable future.”

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact: Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland
 t: 0131 243 2719

Notes to Editors

1. Gamesa announces intention to pursue MOU with the Port of Leith as its UK manufacturing base
www.bit.ly/GQWlHK

2. Friends of the Earth Scotland is * Scotland’s leading environmental campaigning organisation * An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland * Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 77 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups – covering every continent.
www.foe-scotland.org.uk