By Isabella Kaminski

Andrew Davison and Colin Dempster of Ernst & Young, joint administrators of the Campbeltown operation, have agreed a deal with Siemens to resume production at the wind turbine factory while its future is being decided.

Danish wind turbine manufacturer Skykon, the factory's parent company, filed for bankruptcy in December and Skykon Campbeltown went into administration. Earlier this month, about 130 employees at the factory were told not to turn up for work.

Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond welcomes the news that production had resumed, saying: "We are very pleased with the developments announced [...]. The administrators are to be congratulated on securing this breakthrough which enables the workforce to continue and which confirms backpay. I am particularly grateful to Jens-Peter Saul, the CEO of Siemens Wind Power Business Unit, for his helpful attitude in enabling this outcome for Campbeltown and Kintyre.”

Salmond has met representatives of Argyll & Bute Council at the Scottish Parliament in order to discuss the wind turbine project's future.

“The next task is to establish long-term investment to secure the future of the site. Ministers, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International have been working hard behind the scenes with Ernst & Young and Siemens to help bring about today's positive development. We remain firmly focused on working with the administrators and interested parties to help secure a long-term future for the Machrihanish site.”