Hitachi Energy is opening a new UK Engineering Centre of Excellence in Glasgow, creating almost 90 new jobs.

The new centre, which will be located in the city centre and will open early next year, follows a £3 million investment, supported by a £1.7 million grant from Scottish Enterprise.

The centre will employ 88 engineers and project managers who will focus on upgrading the UK's electrical grid to help achieve a net-zero future.

The announcement was welcomed by Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin during a meeting with Hitachi Ltd Vice President Hirohide Hirai in Tokyo. Ms Martin said the investment signals that "Scotland is open for business." She added that the expansion of electricity networks is crucial for delivering energy ambitions, especially for offshore wind.

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Reuben Aitken, Managing Director of Scottish Enterprise's international division, said the decision to locate the centre in Glasgow is a "real recognition" of Scotland's engineering skills and energy sector expertise.

Laura Fleming, Hitachi Energy's Country Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, said the company plans to expand to over 1,000 employees by 2027 and that the Glasgow site would be key to this growth.

Skills Development Scotland's Growth and Inward Investment Manager, Vicki MacLean, said that Glasgow's "highly-skilled and experienced workforce" was a key factor in Hitachi's decision.