Tag Archive for renewable energy

Enthusiasm of Young Scots for Renewables Praised by MSP

February 6, 2012 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

Joe presenting the prize to the winning team from Harris Academy.

Small-scale biomass projects for community use have the potential to help Scotland achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets and the enthusiasm of young Scots for renewable energy technology can make all the difference in ensuring these are achieved, according to Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick.

Joe was speaking after presenting the awards at the Go4SET Dundee Celebration and Assessment Day (CAD) event in the Bonar Hall

The Go4SET biomass project began in September 2011 and school teams of six 12 to 14 year olds (S2) from Dundee, Perth and Angus schools worked with their teachers and mentors from industry on the challenging 10-week project.

They were required to research a biomass fuelled renewable electricity and heat plant for their school, provide a written report and produce a model for display at the event.

Joe commented “It was a pleasure to meet the students and to learn of their work during their projects.

“The tremendous enthusiasm of young people for renewable energy technology and their awareness of the environment is hugely encouraging.

“The Scottish Government has set world-leading climate change targets and it is the enthusiasm of young Scots which will help ensure these are achieved.”

A team from Harris Academy, mentored by Axeon, were the winners of the Best Overall Project Award and were presented with a trophy and a cheque for £250 by Joe Fitzpatrick MSP. The team will now go forward to the Go4SET Scottish Final which will be held in the Scottish Parliament in May.

Other award winners included another Dundee school, Braeview Academy, who won the Students Choice Award.

Local Companies Must Benefit From Renewables Bonanza, Says MSP

February 4, 2011 Joe FitzPatrick MSP One comment

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick believes that the development of a renewable energy manufacturing and maintenance base at Dundee Port will lead to great opportunities for locally-based companies.

With the proposed development of such a facility at Forth Ports in Dundee by Spanish-based energy company Gamesa, the MSP is keen to maximise local benefit to the economy.

He referred to Kingsway-based Axeon as a prime example of a company whose products might offer a neat solution to energy storage and improve continuity of supply from offshore wind turbines.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I visited Axeon last year with my colleague Shona Robison MSP and we saw some of the work which Axeon has been doing.

“The company are pioneering the development of battery technology for the electric car industry but their battery technology has a wider potential application including the renewable field.

“Wind turbines, whether offshore or on land, are by their nature intermittent and whilst we hope to even this out with a mix of renewable sources energy storage could provide certainty of supply to the grid.

“Battery systems such as those pioneered by Axeon, have a huge role to play in stabilising power distribution networks. They can develop large capacity batteries which can store up to one megawatt of power, sufficient to store the output of a large wind farm or for use as standby storage or load levelling.

“I want to ensure that so far as is possible, the drive to renewables does not overlook the valuable work being done by pioneering local technology companies like Axeon, who could provide a bridge to greater success of the renewable sector.”

Lawrence Berns, CEO of Axeon commented: “As a leading manufacturer of battery systems for electric vehicles, Axeon is already extending the application of our technology to energy storage for renewables.

“We welcome the proposed facility in Dundee and believe that by working together we can ensure that Scotland capitalises on its renewable potential.”

SNP Welcome Major Energy Company’s Interest in Dundee

January 20, 2011 Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP, Stewart Hosie MP No comments

Dundee’s SNP politicians have welcomed the announcement from First Minister Alex Salmond today that world-leading Spanish energy company Gamesa hope to establish a manufacturing and logistics operation for offshore wind projects in Dundee. The company also announced proposals to establish an Offshore Wind Technology Center in Glasgow, which could create 130 engineering jobs. It is hoped that hundreds more jobs will develop in Dundee if plans go ahead successfully. 

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick gave his support to the announcement that Dundee is in line for a major manufacturing facility as plans for off shore wind turbines in the area move forward. He said: “Dundee is a developing centre for green energy jobs and the understanding between Gamesa, Dundee’s SNP council and Forth Ports that Dundee will be home to a major manufacturing centre for offshore wind turbines is a huge step forward for the city that could lead to hundreds if not thousands of jobs being created.”

Dundee East MSP Shona Robison added: “This is great news for the city and has the potential to make Dundee a centre of excellence for renewables in Scotland and the world.

“Gamesa are serious players in the renewables business and their interest in Dundee and in Scotland offers great opportunities for the city.”

The news was also welcomed by Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie who said: “The Scottish Government, Dundee City Council, Forth Energy and other partners have worked very hard to attract major investment to the renewables sector, and I am delighted to hear today’s announcement by the First Minister of the deal with Gamesa – the third largest manufacturer of wind turbines in the world.”

“The SNP is committed to Scotland becoming a world-leader in renewable energy. Our ambition to take full advantage of our unparalleled location and geographical assets will include Dundee as an important centre for this key new industry and today’s announcement will lead to significant numbers of new jobs.”

Funding For New Energy Savings Scheme Welcomed

November 4, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP No comments

A Dundee MSP has welcomed an additional £250,000 for Dundee City Council announced earlier this month as part of a new £10 million grant scheme by the Scottish Government for free insulation measures and energy saving advice to households.

The Universal Home Insulation Scheme is a £10 million programme to support free-to-all energy efficiency measures, and it will be delivered by local authorities. It is additional to the £15 million Home Insulation Scheme delivered by the Energy Saving Trust, but will build on the work already done.

Around 100,000 homes across Scotland will be contacted with advice on energy efficiency measures and offered the opportunity to participate.

Welcoming the initiative, Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “This additional funding will help Dundee City Council – and 26 other local authorities – to provide advice, free insulation and other energy saving measures to even more homes than previously planned.

“It will help thousands more families to cut their fuel bills by an average of £50 a year and will build on previous investments, including the work done by the existing Energy Saving Trust scheme.

“Also, by improving household energy efficiency, Scots households can save an estimated £2 billion by 2020 from smaller energy bills, while investment in energy efficiency over that period could directly support around 10,000 jobs in Scotland.

“So not only will these initiatives reduce families’ bills and their carbon footprint, but they will also create and support employment for insulation manufacturers, installers and energy advisors.

“Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Action Plan includes a headline target to reduce total energy consumption by 12 per cent by 2020. We can do this by delivering advice and support to households to reduce their domestic energy bills.

“Saving you money on your energy bills is part of the same process of making Scotland more energy-efficient and meeting our carbon-reduction targets. It’s a win-win situation.”

It is anticipated that renewables will provide the equivalent of 80 per cent of domestic electricity demand by the end of this decade and Scotland will be producing renewable electricity in volumes equivalent to its entire demand by 2025 and will be key to delivering Scotland’s world-leading carbon-reduction target of a 42 per cent cut in CO2 by 2020.

Renewables Investment Welcomed by Dundee Policiticians

September 15, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP, Stewart Hosie MP No comments

A huge boost to Scotland’s renewable energy industry and future employment has been announced after meetings between Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond and the energy giants Iberdrola and turbine manaufacturing company Gamesa in Bilbao.

Dundee’s SNP MSPs Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison and Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie today welcomed the £3 billion commitment from Iberdrola and manufacturer Gamesa’s interest in Scotland as a location for the renewable industry.

Shona Robison said: “The Scottish Government and Dundee Council have been working hard for some time to convince energy companies that Dundee has huge potential to be a site for offshore wind turbine manufacture.

“The SNP Government is focussed on increasing investment, creating jobs and capitalising on our vast renewable energy potential across Scotland.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “The First Minister is leading from the front by making interventions to secure major investment in Scottish industry
 
”We will continue to work towards Dundee’s involvement in the renewables industry as manufacturing and maintenance hub for offshore turbines.”

Commenting, Stewart Hosie said: “Dundee has great potential to be a major renewables industry location and we hope that the city’s potential will be recognised by major investors.”

City Must ‘Work Together’ For Offshore Jobs Opportunity

May 20, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP One comment

Responding to publication of the Offshore Valuation Group Report, Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick today claimed that Dundee is ‘well-placed’ to get a major share of the offshore wind turbine industry, but ‘everyone in the city must work together’ to ensure that the opportunity does not pass the city by.

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick, who is Vice-Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Renewable Energy at the Scottish Parliament, said: “The report shows that there is enough offshore energy to generate the equivalent energy of a billion barrels of oil per year – a vast resource, which we can, and must, harness.

“Dundee has already invested in infrastructure improvements to help us secure manufacturing and maintenance work on offshore wind turbines.

“Scotland’s National Renewable Infrastructure Plan’ which was published by the Scottish Government earlier in the year, identifies Dundee as a preferred strategic sites for offshore wind turbine manufacturing and construction operations.

“There are many companies in the turbine manufacturing sector and we need to ensure that Scottish ports – and Dundee – do not lose out.

“We also need to get our share of the £250 million fossil fuel levy out from the Treasury bank account where it is sitting and bring it back to Scotland to make it work turning renewables opportunities into renewables jobs.

“Dundee – and other Scottish ports are very well-placed to get a big share of the work and we are doing all we can to encourage companies to come to Dundee as a superb location that ticks all the boxes for these companies. But everyone in the city needs to be on board and backing the city’s bid for this bonanza.

“Being on the east coast, directly facing Europe, where the market for wind turbines and for maintenance of renewables sector hardware over the next decade is truly vast, estimated at £15 billion over the next five years, Dundee is in a prime position to attract a leading investor.

“In order for this to happen, we have to show that we offer competitive advantages to the potential investor companies, that Dundee is a good place to do business and that the people of Dundee are right behind the city’s bid for the work.”

“Dundee and Scotland can develop a globally competitive renewable energy sector.”

Hosie Seeks Forth Energy Answers

April 19, 2010 Stewart Hosie MP No comments

Responding to local demands for answers about the proposed renewable developments by Forth Energy, SNP Candidate Stewart Hosie has written to Forth Energy seeking detailed answers from the company.

In his letter he said: “There is no doubt that some local people are genuinely anxious about the proposed developments at the port.

“It is vital that Forth Energy answer fully all of the questions being posed by local people.

“While a full list of all of the concerns is being collated, the company does have the opportunity to explain if the proposed wind turbines are essential to the development of the site as a renewable manufacturing centre; to answer the concerns that shipping in wood from overseas would be unsustainable and to answer concerns about any possible health implications from emissions from the bio-mass generator.

“I have also asked that assurances about the health concerns which have been raised are addressed on the basis of independent, impartial scientific and technical information.

“One issue which has come up time and again is that there appears to be no community gain from this development.

“Again, even before a full list of concerns is lodged, Forth Energy can explain how they expect the City to benefit from their developments.

“I am not against renewable energy and I remain committed to bringing ‘green’ manufacturing jobs to Dundee. However it is vital that these proposals have real community backing and that the legitimate concerns of the public are fully addressed.”

Dundee ‘Well-placed’ for Wind Turbine Manufacture Jobs

April 2, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP No comments

The Port of Dundee is ‘well-placed’ to get a share of the offshore wind turbine industry, say Dundee’s constituency MSPs, who are strongly supportive of the city’s case for becoming a hub for turbine manufacturing and maintenance.

Earlier in the week, the MSPs wrote a joint letter to Ed Miliband, Secretary of State at the Department of Energy & Climate Change to seek assurances over the £60m Offshore Wind Port Fund which was announced in the recent budget.

The MSPs were responding to claims in several newspapers that the money would be used to develop a port in the North-East of England to manufacture turbines for Siemens, creating approximately 700 jobs.

Some press coverage has claimed that Scottish ports would ‘lose out’ but Chancellor Darling has subsequently denied that the £60m competition has been a ‘stitch-up’ and said that the competition is open to Scottish ports and facilities like Dundee.

Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said: “We were concerned at comments in the press about this and wrote to Ed Miliband for assurances on how the competition will be handled and whether the UK Government is to adopt a ‘hands-on’ approach – and whether sites in Scotland were being actively considered.

“We brought to his attention the fact that Dundee has already invested in infrastructure improvements in the belief that we are well-positioned with regard to manufacture of offshore wind turbines.

“Obviously, we are keen that the Port of Dundee has an opportunity to benefit from this fund and we sought assurances that it will be a fair and open competition.”

Commenting, Joe FitzPatrick, Dundee West MSP said: “Of course there are many companies in the turbine manufacturing sector and we need to ensure that Scottish ports do not lose out.

“Dundee – and other Scottish ports are very well-placed to get a big share of the work and we are doing all we can to encourage companies to come to Dundee as a superb location that ticks all the boxes for these companies.

”All that we need is a fair and level playing field from the UK Government – the huge advantages which Dundee has as a location will convince the companies to invest here, when they research the opportunities.”

MSPs Take Up Issue of Renewable Energy Incentives

March 2, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP No comments

Shona and Joe with Dr Michael Voice at Cyprex

Dundee’s constituency MSP’s Shona Robison and Joe FitzPatrick toured the premises of Cyprex in the Medipark and have subsequently taken up issues around the subject of wind turbine installation.

 Shona  Robison said: ” Cyprex invested in a wind turbine, which they hoped would supply a considerable portion of their energy needs. However, as a result of this installation they have been recessed by the Assessor and subsequently their business rates have been increased by around £1000 due to the added value as a result of the turbine.

“I have contacted Finance Minister John Swinney to investigate why this investment in green technology has resulted in Cyprex being penalised. This  is not conducive to encouraging further uptake or renewable energy technology. Investment in renewable energy should be taken into account by Assessors.”

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I have written to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at the Dept of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to clarify what steps can be taken to ensure Cyprex are not penalised for being 2 months early with their installation.

SNP Politicians Welcome Scotland’s Renewables Plan

February 4, 2010 Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP, Stewart Hosie MP No comments

Dundee’s SNP politicians have welcomed the publication of ‘Scotland’s National Renewable Infrastructure Plan’ today which includes Dundee on a list of strategic sites for offshore wind turbine manufacturing and construction operations.

It is estimated that over £15 billion  could be spent on the offshore wind sector in the preferred locations, including Dundee, over the next five years and can help Scotland to develop a globally competitive renewable energy sector. Led by Scottish Enterprise with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, today’s announcement is the first phase of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan.

Commenting on the announcement, Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said: “Dundee, being on the east coast, directly faces Europe, where the market for wind turbines and for maintenance of renewables sector hardware over the next decade is truly vast.”

“Being a strategic location could see infrastructure in Dundee improved to ensure the site provides a supportive business environment for the growing offshore renewables sector.

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick, Vice-Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Renewable Energy at the Scottish Parliament, said:

“I’m glad Dundee is to be a preferred strategic energy site. Our facilities are superlative and offer many options which can be used to give Dundee huge opportunities in the renewables sector.

“The city has a very strong academic background, highly-skilled workforces and of course, engineering is practically ‘in the blood’ of the city.

“Dundee has huge natural advantages as a key location for offshore wind suppliers for installation, manufacture and maintenance.

“Shona Robison, Dundee East MSP also welcomed the announcement and added: “We have been working closely with key partners including Forth Ports, Dundee City Council and Dundee’s two Universities to build-up the case for Dundee as a major renewables hub. It has many advantages to offer, not least its strategic geographical location and the facts that it is a deep-water port and does not have to rely on tidal flow and has vacant space at the port which can be developed.

“Both the city’s Universities have involvement in Research & Development and much expertise in civil engineering and environmental research.”

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