PICTURES: First Minister Humza Yousaf visits Forres firm AES Solar
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FIRST Minister Humza Yousaf praised the work of a pioneering local solar firm while visiting Forres on Saturday.
Meeting with AES Solar staff, he said he was "really impressed" with how the business has been at the heart of the renewables sector for more than 40 years.
Mr Yousaf also quizzed founder and outgoing managing director George Goudsmit (82) about his generational career at the firm.
The First Minister praised Mr Goudsmit's contribution to the industry after he recently stepped back from leading AES Solar following a management buyout.
During a tour led by commercial director Jamie Di Sotto and technical director Campbell MacLennan, Mr Yousaf was shown the process of manufacturing and assembling a solar panel.
He was also told about a Tesla Powerwall installed in the firm's office – a large battery which allows surplus renewable power to be saved for later rather than going to waste.
Staff from AES Solar's apprenticeship schemes also shared their stories, including graduate apprentice design engineer Kiera Wright and lead solar installer Jordan Steele.
The First Minister heard that Mr Steele (24), joined AES Solar only two months after leaving Forres Academy.
After progressing through his modern apprenticeship, he now leads his own team.
Mr Yousaf described Mr Steele’s career journey as “such a great success story" and said the training schemes were “fantastic, everybody wins”.
Technical director Mr MacLennan said “clear skies” were the reason behind solar power's success in Moray, with the local micro-climate providing ideal conditions.
He also told the First Minister that the company's panels have been installed as far afield as New Zealand.
Last year, AES Solar purchased the old Forres Tesco site, which has lain empty for nearly 22 years.
The First Minister was shown the land and heard about the firm's plans to turn it into extra storage, manufacturing and office space.
Company staff also raised a number of points about the renewables industry and market conditions during the visit.
In response, the First Minister said improving grid infrastructure was vital to help renewable energy firms.
He added that the Scottish Government wants the power to set its own prices and is pushing for changes to the UK's energy market.
This, he added, would also mean a “massive, massive gain for the customers”.
Joining Mr Yousaf for the visit was SNP candidate for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey at this year's General Election, Councillor Graham Leadbitter (SNP, Elgin City South).
The First Minister also went on to meet party activists at Lossiemouth, and shared his election strategy focussed on energy, just transition and the cost of living.
However, Moray MP Douglas Ross and Conservative election candidate Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Forres) criticised the Scottish Government's record in Moray.
After the visit, commercial director Mr Di Sotto said: "Everyone at AES Solar were honoured to welcome the First Minister Humza Yousaf and Graham Leadbitter for a tour of our headquarters in Moray.
"I was pleased to have the opportunity to talk with the First Minister about some of the challenges the industry faces such as the skills gap, grid constraints and the incredible changes to Home Energy Scotland funding for solar PV and battery storage.
"We also talked about lots of other things from football, tartan and our future plans for the company.
"I was impressed with how approachable and easy he is to talk with, he also took a genuine interest in all the staff members he met.
"Thank you First Minster for the visit, to everyone else involved in the organisation of the day and to the staff who took time out of their weekend to attend."
