Repositioning North East Scotland as the Net Zero Energy Capital of Europe

Welcome to ETZ Ltd’s Summer Update.

Over the last three months the company has continued to make significant progress as both North East Scotland’s leading catalyst for energy transition and in taking forward the phased development of the largest dedicated energy transition complex in Scotland.

ETZ Ltd’s Challenge Fund unlocks ￡14 million for high-growth transition firms

The latest round of the ETZ Ltd Challenge Fund has unlocked a ￡4m investment package delivering key support to 10 firms with high-growth potential in the energy transition, ranging from subsea robotics to the next generation of electric vehicle chargers.

Since launching in 2022, the round has unlocked more than ￡14m across its three rounds delivering key support for companies across Aberdeen City, Shire and Moray to grasp transition opportunities, including offshore wind, geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydropower.

Announced in August, the third round issued capital grants of ￡1.47m, supporting further private investment of more than ￡2.4m and was marked by a visit by Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin MSP, to Alba Gaskets , one of the awardee companies.

This round issued awards of up to ￡250K to accelerate innovation and market entry, support business growth, and create new jobs in the energy transition into the low-carbon market.

ETZ Ltd’s Supply Chain Programme Manager Freda Miller said on the visit: “The supply chain is the lifeblood of our sector. These are the homegrown companies, with specialist skills and experience to scale and deploy innovative solutions that are vital if we’re going to reach net zero – both here in Scotland and right across the globe.”

See the full list of awarded companies and read more about the fund here.

“North East Scotland is open for business”- An international spotlight on a globally recognised region

ETZ Ltd has been in the international spotlight over the last three months, carrying out high-impact business activities to bolster the region’s standing as a global energy transition leader at home and abroad.

Throughout the summer ETZ Ltd has welcomed trade delegations from Turkey, Singapore, India, Japan and South Korea and we have worked closely with Scottish Development International to host a number of international business support specialists.

These engagements help connect local expertise and regional experience with international opportunities. In addition, our latest Knowledge Exchange Forum ‘Geothermal Awakens’ focused on current and future international activity, while also offering a chance for attendees to network with peers.

Jacqui Watt, ETZ Ltd’s International Development Manager, said: “The North East of Scotland has a great history of exporting expertise to the global energy market and our internationalisation program drives ambition and momentum in growing the volume of trade from the region.”

Also discussing the need for a strong Scottish export market, our Chairman Sir Ian Wood said in an interview with EIC (Energy Industries Council) CEO, Stuart Broadley: “From a position of significant dependency on Oil & Gas revenues, we have seen a notable shift in the portfolio of projects and sectors that the Scottish supply chain is working in… whether it is oil and gas, new or green energies, North East Scotland is very much open for business and that brings significant investment and export opportunities.”

The highly anticipated return of ETZ Ltd’s Masterclasses

August marked the successful return of ETZ Ltd’s Masterclass series with “Hydrogen: Supporting Scotland’s Energy Future”. We provided project updates, market insights and key opportunities to developers, operators, supply chain and industry organisations.

This masterclass was delivered in partnership with Hydrogen Scotland and facilitated by the EIC (Energy Industries Council) . The next masterclass will focus on energy transition skills and is planned to take place in November. Find out more about our masterclasses here. Find out more about our Masterclasses here.

ETZ Ltd’s Community & Coast Fund now open

ETZ Ltd's Community & Coast Fund is now open for applications. Administered by ACVO TSI , the fund will be making ￡100,000 available to community projects in Torry and Cove that align with the six pillars of the Community & Coast programme .

If you are interested in finding out more about the fund, visit ACVO's website.

The Community & Coast Fund is in addition to the already established charity partnerships that ETZ Ltd has with the Denis Law Legacy Trust - Streetsport , Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust and Sport Aberdeen Active Schools Programme, with more to be announced soon.

ETZ Ltd funds ASC wind turbine exhibit helping young minds flow freely

ETZ Ltd was excited to embark on a collaboration with Aberdeen Science Centre . In partnership delivering a mobile wind turbine, this exhibit will help the next generation across the North East learn more about renewable energy while also nurturing conversations about careers in the sector.

The tabletop unit was purchased with support from ETZ Ltd and awarded to the science centre as we continue to work to facilitate and enable a just transition and net zero. It will be a welcomed addition to the science centre’s outreach programme where school children across the local region will be offered opportunities to immerse themselves in the exciting world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and how they can build skills and careers in the energy sector of our future.

ETZ Ltd looks forward to seeing this turbine let ideas flow freely, with our Project Manager Lauren Braidwood, saying: “We want to ensure energy careers are accessible and inclusive to all, and outreach activities are essential in communicating opportunities across the region."

Read the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce update here.

D2Zero announces acquisition and new global headquarters in Zone

One of Scotland’s fastest growing companies has completed another acquisition and announced the location of its global headquarters in Aberdeen.

Clean energy group D2Zero has finalised the purchase of Hull-based OSL Consulting Engineers, adding further engineering expertise to its 4,000-strong workforce. The company has also confirmed that it will deliver its mission to decarbonise critical industries from a new base in the Energy Transition Zone.

Bob Drummond, Chief Executive Officer of D2Zero, said: “The progress we have announced today provides an insight into high levels of activity and energy within D2Zero. We have demonstrated that D2Zero is a trusted partner for customers seeking to deliver highly complex projects that are critical to their decarbonisation and net zero objectives.

“Together the announcements of another acquisition, and a new home at the heart of the energy transition in Scotland, show that we are an ambitious company with momentum and excitement about the future.”

Sir Ian Wood, Chairman of ETZ Ltd, said: “The decision of D2Zero to establish its global headquarters in the Energy Transition Zone marks a huge vote of confidence in the North East of Scotland’s ambition to reposition as globally recognised energy cluster focussed on the delivery of net zero.

“D2Zero are the embodiment of a what a just and managed energy transition should be. They have taken the bold decision to combine a number of pioneering and successful businesses, each with different sectoral strengths, to capitalise on the vast opportunities presented by new and green energies.”

Find out more about D2Zero here.

Hydrus locates office in W-ZERO 1

Brechin-based Hydrus has also taken up residence at W-ZERO 1. While the company continue being headquartered in Brechin, Hydrus has now extended the business to Aberdeen.

Hydrus supports various parts of the energy industry and is now expanding the business towards the floating offshore wind sector. With W-ZERO 1 in Altens Industrial Estate already housing ORE Catapult’s Floating Wind Innovation Centre (FLOWIC), W-ZERO 1 is the ideal location for Hydrus to grow and scale.

W-ZERO 2 – Expanding the Wind Campus

ETZ Ltd entered into a ￡1.5 million joint venture to refurbish our second ‘wind campus’ property in the Energy Transition Zone. The team, alongside West Coast Estates Ltd, have responded to the increasing demand for bespoke and purpose-built energy transition properties.

The property is now available, a 20,000 sq ft warehouse with integrated office space and a secure 36,000 sq ft yard, fully refurbished in line with our net zero principles, focusing on energy efficiency and reusing existing materials.

As a refurbished property and the latest addition to Energy Transition Zone’s dedicated Wind Campus, it is located in Altens Industrial Estate. The former depot warehouse, which has been repurposed for workshop use, is near the already established W-ZERO 1 building which houses D2Zero, NEOTEC, HPR ROV, HonuWorx, Trojan Energy, AREG and ORE Catapult.

With W-ZERO 1 at full capacity, ETZ Ltd was pleased to facilitate further investment in the Wind Campus and more information about W-ZERO 2 can be found here.

ETZ Property Improvement Fund secures ￡5.3m revitalisation for Altens

Funding from Energy Transition Zone Ltd (ETZ) has unlocked a ￡5.3 million investment package to revitalise years-vacant industrial buildings across the Altens and East Tullos industrial estates.

The Property Improvement Fund (PIF) has delivered grants to seven projects within the Zone, attracting new tenants and facilitating expansion for businesses in low carbon energy and renewables. ETZ Ltd has awarded grants of ￡1.56m, unlocking total investment of more than ￡5.3m, with successful projects supporting up to 100 jobs in the region.

Neil Young, ETZ Land and Planning Director, said: “These grants deliver a shot in the arm to industrial property in the south side of Aberdeen, bolstering business confidence while helping attract and expand our net zero supply chain.

“Attracting nearly ￡4m of private investment, this fund showcases a rising demand in the city and the north-east’s attractiveness as a global energy transition destination.”

You can read more about the Property Improvement Fund and see the full list of awardees here.

Green light for Hydrogen Hub

bp Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited – the joint venture between bp and Aberdeen City Council – has announced the final investment decision for its Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub project has been agreed, supporting the region’s energy transition ambitions and its drive to become a leader in lower carbon energy. The Hub will be located in the Energy Transition Zone.

The planned hub will feature a hydrogen production, storage and distribution facility, located at Hareness Road, Aberdeen, which will be powered by electricity generated at a solar farm to be installed on the former Ness landfill site.

Dr Oliver Taylor, chief executive for bp Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited, said: “This is an exciting milestone for the project, Aberdeen, and its people. Not only does the hydrogen hub support bp and Aberdeen City Council’s shared ambition for the city’s future, it also presents a growth opportunity for the region’s supply chain and skills development.”