ETZ Ltd, the not-for-profit, private sector-led company spearheading North East Scotland’s energy transition, is to receive a £17.3 million funding boost from the UK Government, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander confirmed during a visit to Aberdeen on 30 October.

The funding will accelerate the development of ETZ Ltd’s flagship project, the Energy Transition Zone, located adjacent to the recently redeveloped Aberdeen South Harbour.

The harbour now features deepwater berths and infrastructure designed to support offshore wind manufacturing, while the surrounding land is being transformed by ETZ Ltd into a hub for clean energy businesses.

The £17.3 million investment will help prepare the site for new businesses to move in, encouraging the creation, growth and co-location of companies within the renewable energy supply chain.

The new development is expected to strengthen Aberdeen South Harbour’s position as a leading centre for offshore renewable projects, while driving inward investment and expanding the region’s renewables ecosystem.

The funding forms part of the UK Government’s broader clean energy agenda, aimed at creating skilled jobs and reducing household energy costs. The money was originally committed by the previous administration but had not been delivered until now.

Douglas Alexander said: “The UK Government’s £17.3 million investment in Aberdeen’s Energy Transition Zone will create jobs and bring down bills. This investment will accelerate a renewables hub which will help to deliver a thriving renewables sector in and around Aberdeen.”

Maggie McGinlay, Chief Executive of ETZ Ltd, welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of collaboration between industry and government.

“To ensure North East Scotland remains a thriving hub of energy excellence, we must have government and industry working in partnership to support our world-class supply chain who will lead the delivery of the vast pipeline of energy transition projects, particularly offshore wind, on our doorstep.

“The visit of the Secretary of State to Aberdeen, and the hugely welcome confirmation of funding, exemplifies that collaborative approach and will be instrumental in our ability to take forward an accelerated programme of activity that means the Energy Transition Zone, and region more broadly, positions itself as the most attractive location in Europe for investment in low carbon technologies.”

ETZ Ltd’s mission is to ensure North East Scotland remains a global leader in energy excellence by supporting pioneering low-carbon projects and maintaining a strong, skilled supply chain.

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The UK Government has already invested £9.7 million in the ETZ, including £5 million for the Innovation Campus—a facility dedicated to developing and scaling up green energy technologies—and the Energy Transition Skills Hub, which features a state-of-the-art welding academy, an advanced manufacturing zone and future technology digital training facilities.

During his visit to Aberdeen, Mr Alexander met with energy suppliers to discuss the UK Government’s clean energy ambitions. He also attended an energy round table, met representatives from Great British Energy, toured the Floating Offshore Wind Innovation Centre within the Energy Transition Zone, and visited Aberdeen South Harbour.