£12.5m power research centre opened in Cumbernauld by First Minister Alex Salmond

The Power Networks Demonstration Centre, situated in Wardpark, will examine how advanced technologies can be applied to the power industry in the future.

The £12.5m facililty features its own small-scale electricity grid system which is separate from the national network. It was created through collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, Scottish Power, SSE, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council.

During the opening Mr Salmond said: “This is a truly world-class research centre and the first of its kind in Europe, clearly reinforcing that Scotland is leading the way when it comes to the new ideas, new solutions and new practices that will help us meet the electricity and energy needs of the future.”