Businesses now have an "unrivalled" opportunity in Aberdeen to be at the forefront of net-zero.
The company tasked with accelerating the energy transition across the north-east, ETZ Ltd, has today unveiled plans for several campuses in the city's Energy Transition Zone (ETZ).
ETZ Ltd said a comprehensive investment programme is underway to deliver market-ready properties and development sites for high-value manufacturing and the wider energy-transition supply chain.
Campuses will be created for marine development, offshore wind, hydrogen, innovation, and skills to position the region as a global leader in energy transition.
ETZ Ltd will support delivery of new and refurbished commercial property to the net-zero exemplar standard.
It said that businesses within the zone will benefit from reduced running costs, long-term sustainability and a competitive advantage - helping them to win future contracts in the energy sector.
Proven track record
ETZ Ltd chief executive Maggie McGinlay said: "The north-east of Scotland, its business community and its people has a proven track record of displaying resilience in the face of ever-changing economic demands.
"We have adapted before and, through a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit, we are in the process of adapting again to place ourselves firmly at the forefront of energy transition and the race to net-zero.
""Through the specialist campus model, ETZ Ltd is building an innovative ecosystem, unrivalled anywhere in the UK, that will facilitate collaboration, company growth and export opportunities.
"By investing in the zone, businesses will benefit from being part of a dedicated net-zero cluster with access to market-leading test and demonstration space, an advanced manufacturing skills hub, an energy incubator and scale-up hub, and cutting-edge R&D facilities.
"This region is, without doubt, one the most attractive locations in the world for investment in low-carbon technologies and we encourage businesses to explore the wide range of opportunities that exist to thrive within the Energy Transition Zone."
ETZ Ltd was set up in April 2021, and is funded by the UK and Scottish governments and Opportunity North East.
Over-riding goal
It is not-for-profit organisation with one over-riding goal - to protect and create as many jobs as possible ensuring a sustainable and vibrant future for the north-east and the people who live and work in the area.
The venture says that, by 2030, it will have designed and completed the phased development of the zone, creating 2,500 direct jobs and a further 10,000 in energy-transition- related jobs across the region.
Its local development plan will now be considered for adoption by Aberdeen City Council in the coming weeks.
Information on campuses:
The Energy Transition Zone is situated adjacent to the new Aberdeen South Harbour development. The expanded harbour is described as an ideal location for space-intensive industries such as offshore renewables, particularly offshore wind. The gateway will provide direct access to the quayside.
The innovation campus will be on Hareness Road in Altens Industrial Estate and the brownfield site will be suitable for a mix of light industrial, supply-chain, and research & development activities. There will be a new energy incubator and scale-up hub which will be the centrepiece of the campus.
The Energy Transition Zone is said to be being ideally placed as a supply-chain and service centre for offshore wind, including ScotWind developments, for which 65% of leasing zones are within 100 nautical miles of Aberdeen. The zone will provide a specialist campus for the offshore wind industry at Altens Industrial Estate.
The creation of a hydrogen campus would further strengthen Aberdeen's position as a centre of excellence for hydrogen and help deliver the region's production potential, creating new opportunities for investment and job creation. The campus will provide infrastructure focused on attracting new businesses and their supporting supply chain to the city. The site will include land at Doonies Farm, and the Peterseat area of Altens Industrial Estate.
The skills campus adjacent to North East of Scotland College's building at Altens Industrial Estate will be the location for the advanced manufacturing skills hub funded through Just Transition funding. The £5million investment will provide new flexible teaching spaces, technologies demonstration and teaching facility, and a welding and fabrication academy to be operated in collaboration with the college and industry partners.