Wind turbine factory and 500 new jobs on the cards for Leith
Leith’s MP and MSP have both welcomed an announcement by wind turbine manufacturer Vestas that it plans to open a factory in Scotland with 500 skilled jobs.
Although not named in the announcement, Leith is seen as the likely location of the new factory, which would represent an investment of 250 million euros or around £216m.
Vestas submitted a Proposal of Application Notice to the city council in 2024 for a new factory to the east of Leith’s Imperial Dock.
The Danish company’s latest announcement said the new factory would meet growing demand for offshore wind in the UK and Europe. And in addition to creating 500 direct jobs, it would support further indirect jobs in the wider economy and underpin a supply chain critical to meeting the UK's clean power targets and energy security.
The factory would produce nacelles - the protective housing used on the outside of turbines - and hubs - the central component which connects the blades and shaft.
Edinburgh Northern & Leith SNP MSP Ben Macpherson said: “I welcome this announcement and believe that the Port of Leith is the ideal place for this facility, for a range of reasons.
“As the local MSP, I am in positive and constructive dialogue with all the organisations involved with delivering this exciting opportunity, and hope that we can soon secure these jobs in Leith.”
And Edinburgh North & Leith Labour MP Tracy Gilbert said: “This is fantastic news for Scotland. Vestas’ proposed investment, worth over €250 million, has the potential to create hundreds of high-skilled, well-paid jobs and strengthen our offshore wind supply chain.
“I was pleased that representatives from Vestas joined a roundtable I co-hosted last week with Morven Offshore Wind Farm and Forth Ports, focused on maximising the opportunities from the energy transition in Edinburgh North and Leith.
“As Vestas now moves towards a final investment decision, I look forward to continuing to work with them and with partners across the sector to deliver skilled, green jobs locally.”
Vestas said the final investment decision was conditional on securing enough UK-based orders in this year’s allocation rounds for offshore wind. The company added that, subject to the timing of these results and the planning process, the facility could start production by 2029/2030.
The plans also include identifying opportunities for co-locating sub-suppliers of other major components.
Henrik Andersen, CEO of Vestas, said: “Establishing a nacelle and hub assembly factory in Scotland would create hundreds of local jobs and support further jobs across the wider supply chain, delivering long‑lasting economic benefits to the region.”
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:“The Government’s clean energy mission is delivering good industrial jobs for Scottish workers-boosting growth as part of our drive to give the UK energy security.
“This is happening because of the Government’s record-breaking offshore wind auction and the confidence our mission has given industry to invest in Scotland. We will not stop in driving to create many more jobs like these for Scotland and the UK."
And Deputy First Minister and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said Vestas' proposal for a factory in Scotland spoke to the “huge potential” of the Scottish offshore wind sector and Scotland’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
She said: “Scottish Ministers have engaged closely with Vestas since 2021, and we look forward to continuing to work with the company and delivery partners to develop our offshore wind supply chain and deliver long-term economic benefits for our communities.”