Scottish Enterprise’s new £10 million industry engagement building, called inovo, based at the heart of Glasgow’s International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone (ITREZ), has been officially opened today, 27 January 2014, bringing new jobs and investment opportunities to Scotland.
Built to support Scotland’s ambition in the offshore renewable energy market, inovo has already attracted seven tenants to date, occupying over 40 per cent of the building.
Adrian Gillespie, managing director of operations, company growth, innovation and infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise was joined at an opening ceremony by key partners, stakeholders and tenants to mark the momentous occasion.
Speaking at the event, Adrian said: “Scotland offers world-class opportunities for investment and growth in the offshore renewables sector. Its global reputation as a business location has attracted many international companies such as Samsung, Mitsubishi, Gamesa and Areva. Today’s opening strengthens Scotland’s position as ‘The Location’ for innovation in renewable energy.
“Initiatives such as ITREZ play a key role in supporting the growth of the sector in Scotland. In particular, inovo, together with the University of Strathclyde’s Technology Innovation Centre, aims to bridge the gap between industry and academia by offering co-location opportunities and creating an ideal breeding ground for industry to harness cutting edge research and help shape the offshore renewable industry of tomorrow.
“So far, the response from companies interested in locating to inovo has been incredible and as a result, we have already let over 40 per cent of the building. Working with our property agents, GVA James Barr, we will continue to market the remaining space, which I’m pleased to say, is still receiving a lot of interest.”
Comprising five floors, the ground floor offers a suite of smaller units – where only one remains – which have been let to both new and existing companies including Linknode, Green Marine Solutions and SgurrControl. Larger accommodation is available in the upper floors which is currently home to the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and will become home to the new Sensor Systems Innovation Centre, CENSIS, in the spring.
Commenting on its decision to locate to inovo, Global Marine Solutions managing director, Justin Moseley , said: “We saw locating to the inovo both as from a strategic and marketing perspective. Both reasons are fulfilled by being part of the cluster of renewable organisations within Glasgow. The inovo building is ideally placed at the centre of this region and we are excited to be part of it.”
Work on the inovo building started in May 2012 and reached practical completion in September last year. Inovo is the first office building in Glasgow to obtain an ‘A’ Energy Performance Certificate rating for its low carbon emissions and an Excellent BREEAM environmental assessment rating.
Press release, January 27, 2014; Image: Scottish Enterprise