Repositioning North East Scotland as the Net Zero Energy Capital of Europe
Energy Transition Zone Ltd
Supporting the North East of Scotland's transition to become the Net Zero Energy Capital of Europe
Welcome to ETZ Ltd's new Quarterly Update, where we outline the significant progress ETZ Ltd is making as we continue repositioning Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland as a globally recognised energy cluster focussed on the delivery of Net Zero.
Construction begins on £9 million ETZ EnergyWorks in Aberdeen
Construction has begun on the £9 million ETZ EnergyWorks in Aberdeen. UK Energy Minister, Michael Shanks MP, visited the ETZ Ltd headquarter in Aberdeen in November to mark the formal commencement of construction works on the Altens Industrial site.
The project is co-funded by ETZ Ltd, bp and Scottish Enterprise and delivered in partnership with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC).
The UK Government has funded £5.5m towards the project, with £2m from Scottish Enterprise alongside additional Scottish Government funding, and £1.25m from bp.
ETZ EnergyWorks will be a “one-stop-shop” for scaling companies working across sectors including offshore wind, hydrogen and battery storage, with the building itself created with net zero principles through a framework that has led the design process as well as the usage of sustainable construction material.
New Wind Centre of Excellence to be located in the Energy Transition Zone
Sarens PSG recently announced it will establish a £1.6 million offshore wind Centre of Excellence in the Energy Transition Zone, which will create 25 new jobs.
Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband MP said on the announcement:
“Our decision to put Great British Energy’s roots down in Aberdeen is already paying dividends, with fresh investment and new jobs from Sarens PSG that will help ensure the city thrives as Scotland’s clean energy capital.”
As the Energy Transition Zone continues to scale its growing innovative ecosystem, it is hugely welcome to receive further private sector investment in the area, with new job creation, all of which is key to becoming a globally recognised green energy cluster focused on the delivery of net zero.
The return of the F40R programme
ETZ Ltd is partnering again with Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult for the Fit for Offshore Renewables (F4OR) Programme which closed for applications late November.
The programme supports ambitious companies based in the North East of Scotland that are seeking to capitalise on the opportunities in the burgeoning offshore renewable energy sector.
ETZ Ltd Supply Chain Programme Manager, Freda Miller , said:
"We look forward to continuing our partnership with ORE Catapult and are delighted to fund the next cohort of F4OR companies in the North East of Scotland. The programme is one of the key energy transition initiatives that ETZ Ltd deliver, which provides targeted support for the low carbon journey of companies moving away from the reliance on oil and gas to achieve a balanced portfolio.”
ETZ Ltd supports Aberdeen Science Centre's new Virtual Reality project
Virtual Reality will soon be integrated at Aberdeen Science Centre (ASC) thanks to support from ETZ Ltd, Mermaid Subsea Services (UK) Ltd and Peterson Energy Logistics , with project partner AVC . The project involves the purchase of 38 VR headsets which will be used in a variety of activities, workshops and science demonstrations, as well as being taken on the road to be used at the centre’s many outreach programmes and at local events.
ASC's head of fundraising, Steph McCann said:
“We are immensely grateful for the support of Mermaid, ETZ Ltd and Peterson, alongside AVC, which has allowed us to move forward with our plans to enhance our interactive activities and workshops with the addition of VR headsets. With this technology, we can transport our visitors to new worlds where they can explore our solar system, walk around a hydroelectric dam, and journey through the digestive system and so much more. Any additional funding secured for the project will be used to increase the impact that the technology will have on the centre’s activities, including more dedicated staff training sessions and further integration with school workshops and community activities.”
Lauren Braidwood , ETZ Ltd’s Skills Lead said:
“We are looking forward to seeing virtual and augmented reality become part of Aberdeen Science Centre’s offerings, enhancing and futureproofing the fantastic work they already do in STEM education. ETZ Ltd is committed to enabling the next generation to join and lead our energy transition, and Aberdeen Science Centre’s work is vital to inspiring and engaging young people across the region in science and technology.”
ETZ making airwaves on BBC Radio 4
ETZ Ltd’s Chief Executive, Maggie McGinlay , spoke with BBC Radio 4’s flagship PM Programme, discussing the importance of the energy industry here in the North East of Scotland alongside regional partners, Flotation Energy and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult .
ETZ Ltd building strong relationship with GB Energy
With GB Energy announcing its headquarters in Aberdeen this September, ETZ Ltd repeatedly engaged directly with senior UK Government Ministers and officials this quarter to ensure an acceleration of the energy transition across the North East of Scotland.
On Wednesday 16 October 2024, we hosted an American Hydrogen and CCUS delegation which was organised by the Department for Business and Trade and Scottish Development International at the W-ZERO 1 building with special guest Tim Cullen , the recently appointed GB Energy Director. Our Chief Executive Maggie McGinlay then participated in a roundtable hosted by North Sea Transition Authority with Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero, Ed Milliband MP, and Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP.
The next day, both Ministers were joined by GB Energy Chair Juergen Maier CBE FRS FREng as they received an update from our Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult colleagues on the progress and impact of the world’s first Floating Wind Innovation Centre, based in the Energy Transition Zone. This transformational anchor project, made possible by ETZ Ltd's first strategic investment, is now operational and helping de-risk and lower the cost of commercialising floating wind.
Following this, Maggie McGinlay and our Vice Chair Trevor Garlick welcomed Juergen Maier and Tim Cullen to our headquarters to discuss the ongoing delivery impact of ETZ Ltd.
Through all these engagements we highlighted our willingness to use our deep connections with supply chain companies, developers and operators and to work closely with GB Energy to unlock the investment required to position North East Scotland as an integrated low carbon energy cluster.
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Read our 2023/2024 Annual Report
ETZ Ltd has over the past year accelerated the delivery and acted to ensure the scale of the energy transition opportunity in the Energy Transition Zone and the wider region, is capitalised on.
As we continue to reposition North East Scotland as an integrated energy cluster focussed on the delivery of net zero, our Annual Report for 2023/2024 summarises the various activities and projects ETZ Ltd has supported and delivered throughout the year.
Companies encouraged to apply for new Challenge Fund round
ETZ Ltd is launching the latest round of the Supply Chain Pathway and Challenge Fund in January 2025. To date, £4.97m has been invested by ETZ to support 37 companies in their ambition to transition into low carbon sectors. This is a great opportunity for companies to de-risk and accelerate capital investment required to enter and exploit low carbon markets.
The Challenge Fund supports high-growth potential companies across North East Scotland's energy sector to enter the low-carbon industry. Awarding grant funding between £50k and £250k to accelerate innovation and market entry, it aims to support business growth, and create new jobs in the energy transition into the low-carbon market. Applications may include new facilities, new equipment and existing infrastructure upgrades, including digital infrastructure.
The fund will primarily support SMEs servicing the oil and gas market in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray to transition to new or existing opportunities in new and green energies. It is administered by ETZ Ltd and supported through the Scottish Government's Just Transition fund.
Hear about one of our Challenge Fund recipients, AJT Engineering, in this video testimonial.
The 40th Energy Transition Survey is presented
On the morning of 7 November, the results of the 40th Energy Transition Survey were presented at a Business Breakfast organised by the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce . ETZ Ltd had the pleasure of supporting this survey which helps inform and guide decision-makers and stakeholders with insight directly from the energy sector.
Our Chief Executive Maggie McGinlay , who was a panellist at the event, commented:
"ETZ Ltd’s clear focus is on repositioning the North East of Scotland as an internationally recognised energy cluster focussed on the delivery of net zero. The survey results continue to highlight the importance of accelerating the commercialisation of offshore wind, green hydrogen and carbon capture and storage in order to harness our world-class energy supply chain and capabilities across the region."
Register interest to digitally transform your business next year
The ETZ Ltd Accelerating Digital Programme uses specific toolkits, templates and Gen AI exercises to ensure that your company’s use of digital tools is fully aligned with, and supportive of, agreed business goals and objectives.
A highly flexible programme providing 1-to-1 mentoring, support and guidance, it will help your business produce a future-proof digital strategy while also delivering immediate ROI by enhancing future readiness and global competitiveness.
Showcasing North East Scotland’s hydrogen ambition
This quarter marked the return of Hydrogen Scotland 's annual conference and ETZ Ltd was delighted to be a part of the exhibition in Glasgow this autumn. Thank you to all those who stopped by our stand to speak to the team.
Our Hydrogen Project Development Manager Amy Perry also presented at the Aberdeen Hub session, alongside bp and Hydrasun , discussing how partners can better collaborate to scale the region's hydrogen ambition and deliver the infrastructure needed to accelerate a low carbon transition.
As part of this ambition, ETZ Ltd is developing our Hydrogen Campus which will have a transformational anchor project, The Green Hydrogen Testing and Demonstration Facility, as its focal point.
Launch of St Fittick's Park & Tullos Wood Greenspace Use Survey
Our community greenspace enhancement programme has launched with an online greenspace use survey focussed on St Fittick's Park and Tullos Wood. Its purpose is to understand how the community would like to see it improved.
ETZ Ltd is committed to a comprehensive programme of investment to improve the quality of and access to local greenspace that will support a range of activities like:
The Greenspace Use Survey is now live online.
ETZ Ltd’s Community & Coast Fund awards grants to local Initiatives in Torry and Cove
16 local organisations based in Torry and Cove have been provided funding from the Community & Coast Fund to support impactful local projects. The Fund is awarding up to £100,000 to local community projects delivered in partnership with Aberdeen’s Third Sector Interface, ACVO TSI . It aims to empower local groups within Torry and Cove to support initiatives which address community needs ranging from youth support to wellness and skills development, as well as heritage preservation, sustainability and improving biodiversity.
The local organisations benefiting from the fund include Cove Thistle AFC who were awarded funding to purchase landscaping equipment for maintaining Catto Park; Tullos Crescent Allotment Association to install a compostable toilet, expand fruit and herb planting, and promote sustainable local food production; and Brimmond Court Residents Group for a kitchen renovation in their common area, enabling better facilities for volunteers and enhancing social events for the community.
Managing Director at Grampian Fasteners | Vice-chair at the British & Irish Association of Fastener Distributors
1wYou've got to be in it to win it. It's fantastic to see these developments taking place and giving the region the best opportunity to be a leader in NetZero. 👏