Leading figures from the North-east business community have today backed the region's green freeport bid.
Sir Ian Wood KT GBE, Chair of Opportunity North East and Energy Transition Zone, said: “The North East Scotland Green Freeport will be vital to help cement the bridge between oil and gas and the new energies as part of a managed and just transition.
“It will ensure the North East of Scotland can maintain and build on its high value employment and innovative jobs and successfully achieve the transformation from the oil and gas capital of Europe to the Net Zero Capital of Europe. “
Martin Gilbert, Co-founder and CEO (retired) of Aberdeen Asset Management, and chairman of AssetCo, Revolut, Net Zero Technology Centre and Scottish Golf, today gave his vociferous backing for the bid: "The North East Scotland Green Freeport is a fantastic opportunity to lead the world in developing new technology and manufacturing that will drive not only energy security but make huge strides for Scotland, the UK and the wider world on the path towards a carbon net zero future.
"The ingenuity, passion and impressive skill set this region has in spades - coupled with the massive inward investment and ground-breaking innovation the Green Freeport will bring - will lead the world towards a new energy future while creating tens of thousands of jobs.
"The bid will also offer critical support to our food and fishing communities as they modernise and decarbonise and reach new markets across the globe.
“But this bid is also about helping local communities, not just via the jobs and investment, but by the opportunity to enjoy spin-offs like drone technology brought to our doors and 5G that can be shared by everyone.
"This is an incredible opportunity for the people of this region to lead the world once more and I'm proud to back this the North East Scotland Green Freeport bid.”
Sian Lloyd Rees, UK Managing Director, Aker Offshore Wind, said: “Growing a strong industrial capability to support the accelerating clean energy agenda stems from early investment in capability and infrastructure. The North East of Scotland is recognised globally for its innovation, talent and the investment made in offshore energy production over many decades. With the North East Scotland Green Freeport bid, we now have the opportunity to build on this foundation to support and lead a broader energy transition.”
Steve Murphy, Chief Operating Officer, Storegga, said: “The North East Scotland Green Freeport bid is an important element of the collective Scottish and UK push to reach net zero, connecting Acorn’s CO2 capture and permanent storage to emitters in central Scotland, English Freeports such as Thames and Solent, as well as international customers. It is vital we push hard to get important carbon reduction developments like Acorn online as swiftly as possible. A green freeport for North East Scotland will accelerate and amplify the Scottish Cluster, including Europe’s first at scale direct air capture plant and CO2 import facilities at Peterhead Port.”
Colette Cohen, CEO, Net Zero Technology Centre, said: “The North East Scotland Green Freeport bid is exciting and timely as we accelerate towards the UK achieving its net zero goals and long-term energy security.
“The North East of Scotland is a region steeped in a history of innovation and technology advancement. A region that for decades has turned its natural resources into energy supplies to heat and power homes and business across the UK, which is now at the forefront of leading the energy transition. A Green Freeport will give the region the foundation to blaze a trail for innovative entrepreneurs and game changing technologies, establishing it as a global leader in clean energy.”
Professor George Boyne, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Aberdeen, said: “The North East Scotland Green Freeport bid represents a major opportunity for our region, and for the University, in terms of developing innovation and skills across many important aspects of the energy transition.
“Through our Aberdeen 2040 strategy we have a clear ambition to equip individuals and industry with the skills needed as part of the journey to a net zero future, and through our Centre for Energy Transition we are harnessing the expertise of our world-leading academics to deliver technological innovation that will support industry and promote economic growth.
“We are proud to work with our partners across the north-east on this bid as we believe that the Green Freeport has the potential to be transformative for the region, Scotland and the UK.”
Donella Beaton, Vice Principal for Economic Development at Robert Gordon University (RGU), said: "The race towards carbon neutrality in response to the climate emergency will influence the prosperity of the region for generations to come. By being part of the North East Scotland Green Freeport consortium, we can support the drive for significant economic regeneration in the North East by harnessing and expanding the skills in the region.
"The ambitious proposals would directly impact the prospects of students and open new avenues for innovation, research and collaboration. Most importantly, the bid will help to deliver a sustainable economic future for the region with an influx of new opportunities, trade and investment."
Andy Williamson, Head of Energy Transition, OPITO, said: “The net zero transition will be one of the dominant labour market trends of the next 30 years, requiring a carefully managed transition that ensures many of the skills from the oil & gas workforce are transferable to clean growth industries including Hydrogen and offshore wind. North East Scotland has these skills in abundance and will be vital in ensuring the successful economic transformation that the North East Scotland Green Freeport can deliver."