PROJECTS in the North East which support the shift to clean energy will benefit from £8.5 million worth of new funding, the Scottish Government has announced.
Four projects will receive funding this year through the Just Transition Fund, as it will focus on offshore wind infrastructure and supply chain development, the Scottish Government confirmed on Monday.
The successful projects include Cable Handling Facility, Maritime Developments Ltd, £2.9m, Orah Assembly and Deployment, Verlume Ltd, £2.5m, Enabling Renewable Energy Infrastructure, Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners, £2.4m, and Large Scale Synthetic Mooring Line Test Rig, ORE Catapult, £500,000.
The Scottish Government said the investment targets areas that have provided energy security through oil and gas for generations, and hopes the funding will ensure the communities built around them remain at the centre of Scotland's energy future.
Announcing the funding, First Minister John Swinney said that the North East has long been a “titan” of the oil and gas industries, but it must move forward towards a greener future.
He said: “This new round of funding responds to the immediate priorities of energy businesses in the North East. It focuses on projects that have a clear goal of supporting jobs and maximising economic opportunities in the region.
“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. 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 funding marks the beginning of Scotland’s Climate Week, with Swinney officially opening Scotland’s largest energy transition skills hub at North East Scotland College in Aberdeen.
The new centre of excellence will train young people for highly skilled roles in the growing renewables sector.
Swinney said: “I’m also looking forward to opening the ETZ’s Energy Transition Skills Hub, at the start of this year’s Climate Week.
“Supported by £4.5 million of Scottish Government funding, this centre of excellence will prepare local young people for the highly skilled jobs and opportunities of the future in the renewable energy industry.”
The Hub received £4.5m from the Scottish Government's Just Transition Fund and represents a collaboration between the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ), North East Scotland College, Shell UK, and the Scottish Government.
