First Minister Alex Salmond today hailed a new partnership between energy engineering and construction services provider Technip and Spain's Iberdrola, announced at the French company's new 'centre of engineering excellence' for offshore wind in Scotland.

Mr Salmond joined Technip Chairman and CEO Thierry Pilenko in Aberdeen to formally launch the company's offshore wind business which is now headquartered in the city.

Mr Pilenko and Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) and head of Iberdrola's Glasgow-based Global Offshore Division, signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see Technip join a consortium bidding for up to 1.25 GigaWatts of offshore wind capacity in two of five sites that the French government has offered for competitive tender in the first phase of its plans to reach a national target of 6 GW by 2020.

The FM said: "Technip is a world-leading project management, engineering and construction business that has built its reputation for excellence in the oil & gas industry, where of course it has been a major player in Aberdeen for decades. Today's launch signals the company's determination to play a key part in the growing European offshore wind industry.


"Technip's decision to headquarter its European offshore wind business in Aberdeen signals the leading role that Scotland is playing in the development and deployment of leading-edge clean energy generation. The MoU with Iberdrola - with its global offshore wind base in Glasgow - for developments off the French coast, underlines that the expertise being developed in Scotland can help harness not only the huge natural resources off our own coast, but the massive clean, energy resources around the world."

Thierry Pilenko, Chairman and CEO of Technip commented: "This opening and the MOU signature with Iberdrola both confirm that Technip, a world leader in the oil and gas industry, is strongly committed to the development of renewable energies. We have in the Group all the talents, know-how and track record in offshore operations and project management to play a major role in the offshore wind business in Europe."

Commenting on the MoU, Mr Anderson, said: "Technip's new offshore wind offices in Aberdeen are a welcome addition to Scotland's growing renewable energy sector. We established our global headquarters for offshore wind in Glasgow over a year ago, and since then a number of world leading companies have set-up offices in Scotland. We are also very pleased to welcome Technip into our consortium to bid for offshore wind projects in France. As a well-established company, with a strong presence in France and in all major energy capitals they are an ideal partner to help us bid for these major projects."

Ron Cookson, Senior Vice President, Technip Offshore Wind added: "We are very pleased to be part of the consortium and look forward to working with Iberdrola and its partners on the French bid. Joining the consortium also represents a key milestone for us in terms of the development of our business and is indicative of our commitment to this growing sector."

(GK)