The Japanese firm will open a new UK Engineering Centre of Excellence in Glasgow’s city centre after receiving £1.7million in funding from Scottish Enterprise.
The centre, a £3m total investment in the city, will be the base for 88 engineers and project managers who will focus on upgrading the UK’s electrical grid in the move towards a net-zero future.
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin met with Hirohide Hirai, vice president and executive officer at Hitachi Ltd, at the company’s Tokyo HQ after attending the World Expo Osaka in a bid to explore business opportunities for Scotland.
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Welcoming the news, Martin said: “The expansion of our electricity networks will play a crucial role in delivering our energy ambitions – in particular for offshore wind – and maximise the economic opportunities for Scotland’s abundant renewable resources.
“I am delighted that Hitachi has chosen Glasgow as the city to base its new UK Centre of Excellence, helping to highlight Scotland’s leading role in developing renewable energy across the globe.”
Martin went on to say that Hitachi’s investment sends a clear signal to investors that Scotland is “open for business” and hopes the deal will be a catalyst for further investment, jobs, and opportunities across the country.
She added: “The Scottish Government and our partners stand ready to help unleash the enormous economic benefits that the transition to clean and renewable power will bring to people across the country.”
Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Hitachi Energy is part of the Hitachi Group, which was founded in Ibaraki, Japan, in 1910.
The energy arm is one of the world’s leading suppliers of the equipment that forms the backbone of electricity transmission grids.
As well as servicing the UK’s electrical grid, the Glasgow centre will be part of Hitachi’s global network servicing projects worldwide and the high-level engineering skill set available in Scotland is expected to be shared throughout its global network of engineers.
Welcoming the announcement, Hirai said: “The UK is a very important country for the whole of the Hitachi Group.
“I am very proud of the role Hitachi Energy is playing in the vital task of developing the electricity grid for Scotland’s electrified future.
“People are our most important asset, and establishing our new Glasgow Centre is a key step in welcoming more local talent to support our growth.”
Hitachi Energy is the latest Japanese energy company to move into Scotland, as Mitsui has completed the takeover of the Port of Nigg.
Meanwhile, Sumitomo are creating a subsea cable facility at the same location, and Marubeni Corporation has also recently opened a base in Glasgow.
Reuben Aitken, managing director of Scottish Enterprise’s international division, said: “Upgrading the grid is crucial to our transition to net zero. It helps us electrify our economy and our ability to continue to attract businesses to Scotland, as well as helping scale and grow the ones already here.
“The decision by Hitachi Energy to come to Glasgow, with our support, is real recognition of the engineering skill that exists in Scotland and the energy sector expertise that we bring to the global transition.”
