The new Edinburgh offices of a German wind turbine manufacturer have created 13 jobs.

Enercon’s first offices in Scotland were officially opened yesterday by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.

He said the firm's decision to have an office in Scotland reflected the country’s strength as a renewable energy world leader.

The company, which manufactures onshore wind turbines, operates in more than 35 countries.

It has installed more than 19,000 turbines across the world, including at Ben Aketil on the Isle of Skye.

Its Scottish office will be a hub for UK sales, engineering and consultancy work.


Mr Ewing said: "Enercon's decision to be based in Scotland reflects the country's reputation as a genuine world leader in green energy and our targets reflect the scale of our natural resources, the strength of our energy capabilities and the value we place on creating new, sustainable industries."

And Robin Borgert of Enercon said the new offices were a chance to build on relationships the company had already established in Scotland.

Enercon is headquartered in Lower Saxony, Germany.

The Minister President of the region, David McAllister, joined for the official opening.

President McAllister, whose father was from Glasgow, said: "It is worthwhile strengthening the ties between Scotland and Lower Saxony to our mutual benefit."

Scottish Development International (SDI) provided advice and guidance to Enercon before its move.

Anne MacColl of SDI said the new office reinforced Scotland’s reputation as "the ideal partner of choice for major international projects" and would "drive high value" into the Scottish economy.

(NE)