The Scottish Government’s Director-General for Enterprise, Environment and Digital, Graeme Dickson, yesterday opened a new Scottish Head Office for recently merged DNV GL Energy. The new office represents a vote of confidence in the future of energy and renewables in particular in Scotland at time of considerable regulatory change in the sector.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, the Director-General commented on the opening:
“The [Minister] is really delighted that you have chosen to situate your head office here in Glasgow, further enhancing the city’s reputation as a renewable energy super-city….. I know that DNV GL Energy, as Garrad Hassan, has played a significant role already in helping Scottish Businesses, working with Scottish Enterprise to advise potential new entrants and I am certain that you will continue to help expand this business as things move forward. This is an exciting time for energy – it’s an exciting time for Glasgow.”
The central Glasgow office is in the heart of what is rapidly becoming a hub for renewable energy in Europe. DNV GL already enjoys strong links with leading academic institutions such as the University of Strathclyde and a broad range of clients located in the central belt and elsewhere in Scotland. The new office will not only provide a platform for further growth but also as a base for international activity. The company plans to almost double the number of employees working on renewables in Scotland from 25 today to 45 over the next two years.
Chief Executive Officer of DNV GL – Energy, David Walker said:
“We are consciously stepping up our presence in Glasgow. With over 6GW of installed renewable energy capacity and over 13GW in the pipeline, it is clear that Scotland is, and will remain, a crucial market for us and one where we can make a real difference at a time of significant change. As the market leader, DNV GL needs to be at heart of the renewables scene – which means Glasgow. Although we have had a strong renewables presence in the city for over 20 years as Garrad Hassan, I am delighted that we are shifting our efforts up a gear as DNV GL. I look forward to our new company helping to drive the industry forward in Scotland and around the world.”
The new office will feature a new DNV GL ‘operations control room’. By using real-time data and advanced analysis techniques, DNV GL will support clients in Scotland and elsewhere to boost wind farm performance and bring down the cost of wind energy.
The opening of the new office comes on the back of a successful industry debate hosted by DNV GL in September, where leading figures discussed the future of the renewables industry in Scotland at the Glasgow Science Centre.
[mappress]
Press release, December 5, 2013