The Scottish Government has allocated £8.5 million to four energy transition projects in the North East as part of efforts to support a shift from oil and gas to low-carbon industries, it said on Monday.
The funding, drawn from the Just Transition Fund, will support infrastructure and supply chain development aimed at bolstering the region’s role in the offshore wind sector while creating new employment opportunities.
Maritime Developments will receive £2.9 million for a cable handling facility, Verlume has been awarded £2.5 million for the assembly and deployment of its Orah energy storage system, Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners will get £2.4 million for renewable energy infrastructure upgrades, and ORE Catapult will receive £500,000 to develop a large-scale synthetic mooring line test rig.
“This new round of funding responds to the immediate priorities of energy businesses in the North East,” said First Minister John Swinney. “It focuses on projects that have a clear goal of supporting jobs and maximising economic opportunities in the region.”
The announcement coincides with the launch of Scotland’s annual Climate Week and the opening of the £10 million Energy Transition Skills Hub in Aberdeen. The facility, based at North East Scotland College, received £4.5 million from the same fund and aims to train up to 1,000 people in its first five years for careers in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital technologies.
“The North East has long been a titan of the oil and gas industries and we must move forward together towards a cleaner, more sustainable world,” Swinney added. “Just Transition funding aims to ensure no one is left behind and that communities continue to play a vital role in the country’s clean energy future.”
The Just Transition Fund is part of Scotland’s broader strategy to meet climate targets while ensuring economic stability in regions historically dependent on fossil fuel industries.
