Dozens of clean energy startups have secured £150million in private investment after receiving support from a leading technology centre, new figures reveal.
More than 80 pioneering companies have been backed by the Aberdeen-based Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), driving the development of innovative solutions in alternative fuels, carbon capture, hydrogen, renewables and digital technologies.
NZTC is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the Scottish and UK governments through the Aberdeen City Region Deal.
The figures come as the centre today [THURS] hosted its first Net Zero Innovators conference, bringing together technology developers, industry customers, and key players in the supply chain to trial and scale up solutions for the energy transition.
Exhibitors at Aberdeen’s P&J Live included participants from the NZTC TechX Accelerator programme, which has invested almost £7million since 2017, helping secure around 20 times that amount in private equity funding.
Companies supported through the programme have generated £36million in revenue to date, boosting the economy and creating job opportunities across Scotland and the UK.
Overall, NZTC has co-invested £420million and delivered 1,550 jobs through its technology development and deployment projects.
Around 500 people attended the conference, which showcased breakthrough technologies in offshore robotics, ocean monitoring, wind energy and more to potential customers from energy operators, the energy supply chain and wider industry.
Exhibitors included HonuWorx, developing all-electric, uncrewed mothership submarines for subsea robots, cutting emissions by up to 30 tonnes per day, and and Frontier Robotics, which enhances marine robots’ ability to operate autonomously, potentially transforming offshore wind farm maintenance.
ACUA Ocean is developing the world’s first hydrogen-powered uncrewed surface vessel for offshore monitoring, built for long endurance and zero emissions.
Other notable exhibitors included Wastewater Fuels, converting wastewater into green hydrogen, and JET Connectivity, which uses 5G mesh buoys to replace outdated offshore communication methods.
Myriad Wind demonstrated multi-rotor wind turbines that are more cost-effective, safer and easier to maintain.
The event also featured panels on decarbonisation, with former semi-professional footballer turned entrepreneur Chris Herd, founder of Firstbase, discussing scaling up and Aberdeen’s role in energy innovation.
A roundtable explored how to unlock energy tech innovation and TechX Accelerator participants competed in a ‘pitch battle’ to showcase their clean energy solutions.
Mark Anderson, chief acceleration officer at the Net Zero Technology Centre, said: “These figures are a testament to the power of innovation and the impact of our support for clean energy startups.
“The £150million in private investment raised by companies through our TechX Accelerator programme shows the real value of the work happening here.
“We have committed nearly £7million since 2017 and in return these companies have secured private funding, created jobs and generated real economic growth.
“It is not just about technological breakthroughs. It is about making the right connections, matching innovators with industry leaders who can help trial, scale and deploy their solutions.
“By bringing together cutting-edge startups with industry decision-makers, we are accelerating the development of breakthrough technologies and ensuring they can be deployed at scale to make a real difference in the energy transition.”
“This conference has showcased Aberdeen’s role in advancing energy innovation and how collaboration is key to driving growth, creating jobs and building a more sustainable economy for communities across the UK.”