08-05-2025
Ayrshire facility for recycling and repairing wind turbine parts opens
Ecocel opened their new facility in Kilwinning after winning a "multi-million pound" contract with Scottish Power Renewables.
A company specialising in recycling and repairing wind turbines has relocated to Ayrshire after winning a "multi-million pound" contract with Scottish Power Renewables.
Ecocel opened their new facility in Kilwinning on Tuesday, May 6, after taking on 10 new local staff to support Scottish Power Renewables to maintain and refurbish turbines across the UK.
Established in 2010, Ecocel is a wind turbine maintenance firm who also work to recycle and refurbish wind turbine parts. The firm is well known in the industry for "major corrective repairs."
As part of Scottish Power Renewables' asset upgrade works covering 204 wind turbines, Ecocel will manage the parts and supply for the installation of the Gamesa Pitch control system, which adjusts the angle of turbine blades to maximise efficiency.
It will significantly enhance the efficacy and reliability of the turbines, contributing to increased renewable energy production.
Despite the new premises being larger than their previous home in East Kilbride, Ecocel are also opening a facility in Irvine to support the project.
North Ayrshire Council have supported Ecocel in finding their new locations as well as their hunt for new, local staff.
Andrew Bone, 21, from Dalry is one of the new staff who have been taken on by Ecocel.
He said: "I joined Ecocel because it is the future. Renewable industries are massive projects right now and something I want to be a part of.
"I spent two years in another job before coming here but this company is a bit better because they train everyone and the people here are brand new and friendly.
"I see myself working up at Ecocel, that is my plan and that is why I came in here. There is an opportunity for growth. I have always wanted to end up somewhere like here."
Jamie Glover, Ecocel managing director, said: "Ayrshire is quite dense wind turbine-wise, especially for Scottish Power so a lot of our guys were from this area. When we were looking for somewhere to move to when we were growing out of the facility in East Kilbride, we started looking at East Ayrshire and engaged in a conversation with North Ayrshire.
"They were fabulous and pointed us in the right direction. They have been helpful from the get go. It was an easy decision to make when we started talking to them.
"The contract is part of the Pitch Upgrade Project. We are retrofitting the full pitch system of turbines.
"There are two sides to the contract - the first part is that we provide all the parts and that is mostly what this facility in Kilwinning does. The other side of the business is the fit out on a third of the turbines as there are three companies doing all the fit outs.
"The new facility we have opened in Irvine is a recycling centre and I think we are going to be able to recycle about 90 per cent of the parts.
"Even small accumulators that you wouldn't normally do anything with, just throw them away, will be recycled.
"I am very proud of that, the sheer amount of stuff that is going to be recycled here."
Ross Galbraith, onshore construction and operations director at Scottish Power Renewables, said: "We're delighted to work with Ecocel on this critical upgrade project. Their commitment to excellence and innovation aligns with our dedication to advance and maximise renewable energy generation.
"This is a great investment for us. We've got a significant number of renewable projects across the UK and we are keen to focus our efforts on supporting local companies that can help us with our journey to net zero.
"The project and the work that Ecocel are doing takes us another step along that journey by enhancing the capabilities of our existing assets."
Nicola McMurdie, business growth manager at North Ayrshire Council, said: "We have a portfolio of businesses that we try to support and Ecocel have come under my remit initially as an inward investment.
"We've done a lot to get them into the area and now we are supporting them along the way by helping them with finding staff or to collaborate with other companies in the area."
Cllr Tony Gurney, cabinet member for green environment and economy, added: "This is fantastic news for Kilwinning and the whole of North Ayrshire and we are delighted to be supporting Scottish Power Renewables and Ecocel in their efforts to drive sustainable energy solutions."
