Hitachi investment supports Scotland's energy transition
Glasgow will be the home of a new Engineering Centre of Excellence after Hitachi Energy announced plans for a new investment.
The Japanese firm will create 88 new high-value jobs early next year after receiving a £1.7million grant from Scottish Enterprise to support an overall investment of just over £3million.
The Growth and Inward Investment Team at Skills Development Scotland (SDS) worked alongside Scottish Enterprise in support of Hitachi’s plans for investment.
The centre will be the base for engineers and project managers primarily focussed on the upgrading of the UK’s electrical grid in the move towards a net-zero future.
The announcement came as Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin led an energy transition delegation at World Expo Osaka to explore opportunities for Scottish businesses and inward investment.
Ms Martin met with Hirohide Hirai, Vice President & Executive Officer at Hitachi Ltd, at the company’s Tokyo HQ.
She said: “The expansion of our electricity networks will play a crucial role in delivering our energy ambitions - in particular for offshore wind - and maximise the economic opportunities for Scotland’s abundant renewable resources.
“I am delighted that Hitachi has chosen Glasgow as the city to base its new UK Centre of Excellence, helping to highlight Scotland’s leading role in developing renewable energy across the globe.”
Vicki MacLean, Growth and Inward Investment Manager at SDS, said: “Having access to a highly-skilled and experienced workforce was an important factor in Hitachi deciding to locate in Glasgow.
“SDS was able to provide a wealth of data showing not only the workforce available just now, but the healthy pipeline of talent coming through our education system, and we now look forward to helping Hitachi flourish and grow in Scotland.”
Reuben Aitken, Managing Director of Scottish Enterprise’s international division, said: “Upgrading the grid is crucial to our transition to net zero. It helps us electrify our economy and our ability to continue to attract businesses to Scotland, as well as helping scale and grow the ones already here.
“The decision by Hitachi Energy to come to Glasgow, with our support, is real recognition of the engineering skill that exists in Scotland and the energy sector expertise that we bring to the global transition.”
SDS was able to provide a wealth of data showing not only the workforce available just now, but the healthy pipeline of talent coming through our education system, and we now look forward to helping Hitachi flourish and grow in Scotland.
Vicki MacLean
Growth and Inward Investment Manager, Skills Development Scotland
Reuben Aitken, Managing Director of Scottish Enterprise’s international division, said: “Upgrading the grid is crucial to our transition to net zero. It helps us electrify our economy and our ability to continue to attract businesses to Scotland, as well as helping scale and grow the ones already here.
“The decision by Hitachi Energy to come to Glasgow, with our support, is real recognition of the engineering skill that exists in Scotland and the energy sector expertise that we bring to the global transition.”
As well as servicing the UK’s electrical grid, the Glasgow centre will be part of Hitachi’s global network servicing projects worldwide and the high-level engineering skill set available in Scotland is expected to be shared throughout its global network of engineers.
Hirohide Hirai said: “The UK is a very important country for the whole of the Hitachi Group. I am very proud of the role Hitachi Energy is playing in the vital task of developing the electricity grid for Scotland’s electrified future. People are our most important asset and establishing our new Glasgow Centre is a key step in welcoming more local talent to support our growth.”
Hitachi Energy’s Country Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, Laura Fleming, added: “This represents a significant investment in Scotland and adds to our footprint across the UK.
“The investment is largely due to the continued trust of our customers in helping them to deliver the energy system of the future. Together, we are rapidly expanding to meet soaring demand for grid infrastructure.
“Across the UK and in Scotland we plan to expand to over 1,000 employees by 2027 offering long lasting and rewarding careers with this site being key to our growth placing Scotland as central to achieving Clean Power by 2030.”