Jobs boost for the South of Scotland

First Minister John Swinney will today (Wednesday) visit the site of a new battery storage facility that will deliver a significant jobs boost for the South of Scotland.

Kight Powerhub's manufacturing facility in Dumfries is expected to create more than 700 high-quality jobs over the next ten years as the company rolls out new home battery storage technology that will make it more affordable for people to heat their homes while helping the environment.

Later, the First Minister will get an update on the development of the new Center Parcs resort in Scotland – including details on new jobs and investment – when he visits the site near Hawick.

Speaking ahead of the visits, the First Minister said:

“It is very welcome that this facility will create more than 700 highly-skilled jobs in Dumfries, and a further 2,000 across the supply chain. That is a significant, long term investment in the South of Scotland but the benefits go beyond employment.

“Kight has worked with South of Scotland Enterprise to pilot this battery technology in local social housing, which means people will see their homes become warmer, more energy efficient and more affordable to heat. That will help to save people money.

“Battery technology like this is central to securing Scotland's energy future – it helps store clean power, reduces our dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets, and supports the transition to net zero in a way that genuinely includes communities rather than leaving them behind.”