Mitsubishi will also acquire Edinburgh firm Artemis intelligent Power (AIP).

Over the next five years, MPSE expects to create up to 200 jobs at the new Centre and at AIP. If the technology is successful, this could lead to the creation of a major offshore wind turbine manufacturing site in Scotland.

MPSE CEO Akio Fukui says: "The successful development of this technology will make Britain/Scotland a key player in the offshore wind supply chain, potentially leading to the development of manufacturing capacity delivering to the Scottish, UK and European markets.

“This exciting project squares the circle of Scottish-Japanese industrial history dating back to when Thomas Glover assisted in the creation of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in the 1800's. The first Japanese naval vessel was built in Aberdeen in the late 1800's in Scotland, and now the first game changing offshore wind turbine will be built here too.

"This builds on our existing partnership with SSE on low carbon energy developments, including offshore wind, and we are very pleased to be working with the UK and Scottish Governments to turn this vision into a heavy engineering reality."

Managing Director of AIP Dr Win Rampen adds: "Drawing on the breadth and depth of MHI expertise and skills, AIP look forward to accelerating our R&D work with a view to our technology being used in turbines in UK and European waters by 2015."

MPSE will acquire 100% shareholding in AIP, which is based in Loanhead. AIP will continue as an independent technology company.