Published 06/07/2023
North East Scotland, through its world-leading energy industry, has made an invaluable contribution to the UK's energy requirements over the past 50 years. The energy sector in Scotland is making great progress in transitioning to cleaner and renewable energies and progress is being made to harness and retain the region's existing skillset, whilst the sector grows and secures further opportunities, new jobs and investment.
Chief Executive of Energy Transition Zone (ETZ), Maggie McGinlay discusses the work of the organisation and the benefits of Aberdeen's new Energy Transition Zone.
Maggie McGinlay, Chief Executive
Established in April 2021, ETZ Ltd is a private sector-led and not-for-profit company spearheading North East Scotland's energy transition ambition. Supported by significant ongoing funding and support from both the UK and Scottish Governments, ETZ Ltd has a clear focus on repositioning the region as a globally recognised new and green energy cluster and as the Net Zero Capital of Europe.
The focal point is the delivery of a unique Energy Transition Zone, a 120-hectare site adjacent to the brand new £400 million Aberdeen South Harbour port development. The zone comprises revitalised brownfield accommodation alongside a new release of catalytic greenfield development sites and provides businesses with the enviable opportunity to invest in the largest dedicated energy transition complex in Scotland.
To deliver this, a comprehensive development programme is underway to provide market-ready properties and development sites for high-value manufacturing and the wider energy transition supply chain. This co-ordinated investment will include the creation of specialist campuses for marine development, offshore wind, hydrogen, innovation and skills that will position the region as a global leader in energy transition.
ETZ's network of partners work individually and collaboratively including through targeted programmes to support the delivery of commercial products and services. The network includes the National Energy Skills Accelerator, National Subsea Centre, the National Decommissioning Centre, Global Underwater hub, Energy Transition Institute and the Centre for Energy Transition.
Our partnerships also extend to the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) and the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland with which we are working closely in the delivery of operations, and Scottish Enterprise and bp which have contributed funding toward Scotland's first Energy and Innovation Scale-Up hub.
Our experienced and dedicated team regularly engages with over a thousand energy supply chain companies across the region and with our first-class academic institutions in order to equip future generations with the necessary skills to succeed in new and green energies.
Our new prospectus provides the compelling reasons why this region is one of the most attractive and exciting locations in the world to invest in low carbon technologies and highlights the role of ETZ Ltd and the Energy Transition Zone in accelerating this position.
By investing in the Zone, companies will benefit from operating in close proximity to a pipeline of attractive commercial projects and gain access to our market-leading transformational anchor projects to accelerate their proposition and growth.
This region is undergoing a remarkable transformation and we want ambitious companies to be part of this exciting journey. Our pledge at ETZ Ltd, is to provide them with all the support they require to succeed.
To find out more visit - https://etzltd.com/