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ETZ Ltd has awarded leading global safety firm, RelyOn Nutec, £400,000 to support up to 400 people secure jobs in the oil and gas industry and growing renewables sector. Individuals who are currently working in the oil and gas sector and want to recertify for the offshore wind industry, those who want to achieve first certification in the energy sector, and workers who want to renew their oil and gas safety training following 90 days lapse of certification, will now be able to have the cost fully funded at RelyOn Nutec’s Aberdeen training centre. It costs in the region of £1000 for workers to renew their basic oil and gas safety training every four years and up to £2000 to complete GWO (Offshore Wind) basic safety and basic technical training, which require updating every two years. The support will allow eligible workers who live in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to update their certification or achieve certification for the wind sector free of charge from January-March 2022. The funding has been awarded by ETZ Ltd, the not-for-profit company with a clear ambition to reposition the North East of Scotland as global leader in energy transition and delivery of net zero targets, and is part of the Scottish Government’s £14.3 million North East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund (NEERSF). Individuals securing the fully funded training with RelyOn Nutec will also have two years’ access to the training firm’s e-learning library, open days with key organisations offering real employment opportunities, and a personal profile on RelyOn’s digital system, which is accessed by the firm’s vast client base to source fully certified personnel. Andy Rodden, ETZ Ltd Offshore Renewables Director, said: “For almost 50 years this region made a massive contribution to the UK’s energy requirements and, in doing so, has sustained thousands of jobs in and across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. “ETZ Ltd has a clear focus on harnessing the highly skilled workforce across the region to ensure we maximise the massive opportunities that energy transition provides. RelyOn Nutec are a first-class organisation, and this funding will ensure workers across the North East are offered the very best in training and support as they further their careers.” RelyOn Nutec (UK) Managing Director, Bob Donnelly, said: “We are already supporting the highly skilled and experienced Scottish oil and gas workforce to transition their skills into the renewables sector by delivering GWO training at our UK centres in Aberdeen and Teesside. It is essential that we as a region, do everything that we can to hold onto the unrivalled skills base which has over 50 years knowledge to draw on. “Receiving this funding will allow us to offer additional training to those that need it the most, those people who have decades of skills who are struggling to find work in the difficult market conditions and need to renew their safety certification, and those who don’t have the means to commit to retrain for the renewables sector. As a business, we ensure the safety of people working in these industries, and help to save lives, and this funding will also allow us to help people to get back into work and help the region to retain its skilled workforce.” People who are eligible to secure the funded training can contact RelyOn Nutec direct on 08444 142 142 to book a place or find out more at www.relyonnutec.com/support/energytransition

A dedicated Hydrogen Steering Committee has been created to ensure the North East of Scotland capitalises on the ‘massive potential’ the region possesses in low carbon hydrogen opportunities which could create up to 30,000 jobs in the region by 2040. North East Scotland Hydrogen Ambition (NESH2A) Steering Committee has been established with the clear aim of coordinating efforts that support the delivery of over 1GW (20%) of the UK’s low carbon hydrogen production target by 2032 and position the region to capitalise on future hydrogen export markets. As a result of Aberdeen city’s pioneering hydrogen road transportation initiative over the last decade, the region is already at the forefront of hydrogen activity in the UK and is now extremely well placed to grow the hydrogen economy in terms of infrastructure, jobs, supply chain, skills and technology. In its Ambition Report, published today, the Committee has identified a portfolio of low carbon hydrogen projects of significant scale that it will seek to support and accelerate to ensure the region realises the depth of the opportunity and maintains its pioneering position. It will do so through utilising long established connections across the industry, attracting investment, sharing knowledge and expertise with partners and collaborating with government and economic development agencies. The current North East Hydrogen Project Portfolio includes H2 Aberdeen, the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub, Acorn Hydrogen Project at St Fergus, and ERM Dolphyn. Successful execution and scale up of the projects identified could deliver between 13,000 to 29,000 new jobs by 2040. Mike Fleming, Chairman of Isol8 Group and Vice Chairman of the Net Zero Technology Centre, has agreed to chair the steering committee in an independent capacity. Other members include senior and experienced representatives from the energy transition industry, Aberdeen City Council, North East Scotland College and Scottish Enterprise. The announcement of the new committee was made as Mike Fleming addressed the Scottish Government’s “Scotland: hydrogen nation” event hosted by Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy & Transport, Michael Matheson, at COP26. Mr Fleming said: “It is a privilege to Chair the North East Hydrogen Ambition Steering Committee at what is a crucial time for the development of the hydrogen economy and energy transition more broadly. “North East Scotland is ideally placed to deliver a substantial proportion of the UK’s future low carbon hydrogen requirements as a result of a number of current and near future hydrogen projects, which combined are expected to generate in excess of 200MW in the next 5 years. “The region has a significant opportunity to scale up hydrogen production and, in doing so, contribute to net zero and just transition targets. “The committee can draw upon the experience of a range of senior individuals representing both the private and public sectors who are all actively working on hydrogen projects and therefore have key insights as to what needs to be done so this region remains at the forefront of the hydrogen economy. The early support we have had from all partners to get this group off the ground is hugely appreciated and reflects a great collaborative effort. “We have come together to accelerate coordinated action to ensure the North East capitalises on the massive hydrogen potential before us, creating tens of thousands of jobs as we do so, but we must maintain focus and momentum to realise the goal.” Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy & Transport, Michael Matheson said: "Scotland has the resources, the people and the ambition to become a world leader in hydrogen production and our Hydrogen Action Plan, published today, sets out how we will work collaboratively with the energy sector to drive progress over the next five years. "Renewable and low carbon Hydrogen have an important role to play in a just transition to a net zero economy, creating good, green jobs for our highly skilled workforce. The establishment of this dedicated Hydrogen Steering Committee will provide further focus on accelerating the deployment of the technology, and I look forward to working alongside the committee, and the wider sector, to deliver the tremendous potential that hydrogen holds." Find out more information: http://nesha.etzltd.com/

ETZ launches greenhouse gas emissions reduction supply chain programme in support of North East Scotland’s energy transition The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Programme provides a platform for oil and gas operators to work hand in hand with supply chain companies to identify opportunities and explore deployable solutions to reduce GHG emissions. ETZ is allocating funding from the North East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund (NEERSF) to deliver the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Programme. NEERSF is a £14.3 million investment by the Scottish Government to support economic recovery and enhance skill levels in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire through key sector growth, employment, training, and skills development opportunities. The GHG Emissions Reduction Programme: launch of the first opportunity Last month, ETZ brought together sixteen oil and gas operators to hear more about the Programme and to identify efficiency improvement and GHG emissions reduction opportunities. Championed by Serica Energy on behalf of the full operator cohort, the first opportunity launches today and focuses on ‘Flaring and venting reduction’. Supply chain companies across North East Scotland are invited to submit proposals detailing how their existing products and services could be used to materially contribute to significantly reducing or potentially eliminating gas flaring and venting from onshore and offshore oil and gas production processing facilities. ETZ will bring operators and supply chain companies together in the form of a pitching process to raise awareness of existing solutions, provide feedback and support to encourage operators to engage further with the supply chain. Maggie McGinlay, Chief Executive of ETZ Ltd, commented: “ETZ’s vision is to reposition the North East of Scotland as a globally integrated energy cluster focused on net zero delivery for the region, Scotland and the UK. The GHG Emissions Reduction Programme has an important role to play, and we are encouraged by the positive industry response. It’s clear there is a desire for operators and supply chain companies to work together to reduce emissions. “ETZ is uniquely placed to be a positive and contributing factor in the overall effort to help the oil and gas industry transition and drive towards net zero, whilst also supporting and encouraging the local supply chain to present innovative solutions based on their proven capabilities. “We’re delighted to have Serica Energy champion our first opportunity on flaring and venting reduction. Their support, and that of all oil and gas operators working with us, is vital for the success of the programme and its contribution to the industry and the UK reaching net zero.” Opportunity Champion Clara Altobell, VP ESG and Business Innovation at Serica Energy, said: “I’m really happy to be supporting ETZ’s programme, linking the creativity and skills of local companies in North East Scotland to the real needs of oil and gas producers in the offshore environment. Since taking over operatorship of our assets, we have drastically reduced venting and flaring from our platforms, and we are constantly looking for ways to further improve our environmental performance. With the help of new ideas and collaboration across the supply chain, we not only want to further reduce our own emissions at Serica but also help to find innovative solutions for other operators to cut theirs.” Bill Cattanach, Head of Supply Chain at the Oil and Gas Authority, said: “We wholeheartedly support ETZ’s timely initiative, which recognises the crucial role the supply chain must play in tackling emissions, leveraging its world-leading technologies and techniques. Driving down GHG emissions from the upstream oil and gas sector is a priority for the OGA and to support this we are updating the guidance we provide to industry including on flaring and venting, which now sets out a tougher approach to emissions reductions. This is backed by updated monitoring and benchmarking of industry’s performance, as demonstrated in our new Emissions Monitoring Report. The OGA is also working proactively with industry to identify opportunities to cut emissions and, in 2021 to date, our interventions have helped the sector avoid producing 993,000 tonnes of lifetime CO2e – the same as taking more than 500,000 cars off the road for a year.” Keith Mackie, Energy Supply Chain Manager at ETZ Ltd, said: “The North East of Scotland’s energy supply chain has developed and matured over the last four decades and is world-renowned for its oil and gas exploration and production expertise. There is a significant opportunity to harness that acknowledged capability, address the energy transition challenge and secure the region’s energy sector for the next 40 years and more.”

ETZ Ltd has appointed Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP to support its plans to reposition the North East of Scotland as a globally recognised integrated energy cluster, creating sustainable jobs while playing a crucial role in meeting the net-zero ambitions set out by local, Scottish and UK Governments. Following a competitive tender, Shepherd and Wedderburn has been selected to advise ETZ Ltd on all corporate, property and construction, and regulatory matters. The law firm’s sector-leading Clean Energy Group comprises more than 90 lawyers, who advise on landmark clean energy projects across the UK. The group has more than 30 years’ specialist experience in the clean energy sector, spanning the full spectrum of energy technologies, both mature and emerging, and offering the perfect blend of skills to help ETZ Ltd realise its ambitions. The appointment follows Shepherd and Wedderburn’s recent announcement that it is investing in a new Aberdeen office, with the capacity to double the firm’s headcount in the city, as part of a three-year strategic growth plan. Maggie McGinlay, Chief Executive of ETZ ltd, said: “I’m delighted that Shepherd and Wedderburn have been appointed to advise ETZ Ltd on all corporate, property and construction, and regulatory matters. They share our ambition to reposition the North East of Scotland as a globally recognised integrated energy cluster focussed on the delivery of net-zero and I look forward to working with them in delivering that. “Shepherd and Wedderburn’s recent announcement they will invest in a new office in Aberdeen is testament to their long-term commitment to the North East and reflects ETZ Ltd’s clear aim to develop a sustainable long-term international industry base that delivers sustainable jobs and growth for the region.” Colin Robertson, Partner in Shepherd and Wedderburn’s property and infrastructure team, said:“We are delighted to have been appointed as legal adviser to Energy Transition Zone Ltd. Our clean energy team is passionate about the green recovery and transition to net-zero and we look forward to supporting our client to deliver a globally recognised centre focused on such transition, with the development of the Energy Transition Zone in Aberdeen at its core.”

Energy Transition Zone Ltd has appointed Ironside Farrar to lead a team to advance the Energy Transition Zone master plan that will help reposition the North East of Scotland as a globally recognised integrated energy cluster that delivers sustainable jobs and growth for the region as part of meeting the net zero ambition. The master plan will progress proposals for how the site will be developed based on an understanding of place and provide a clear and consistent framework for future investment and development. The master plan will cover the proposed areas of the Energy Transition Zone including the development of various existing brownfield sites both in East Tullos and Altens and sites adjacent to Aberdeen South Harbour. ETZ Ltd is committed to working to ensure local benefits and opportunities are secured and that the master plan builds a sustainable, inclusive and environmentally responsible basis for future investment and growth. Ironside Farrar will play a key role in engaging with the local community and other stakeholders through the various stages of the master planning process. Neal Handforth, ETZ Ltd Development & Infrastructure Director, said: “I’m delighted that Ironside Farrar will be undertaking the crucial work of master planning for the Energy Transition Zone. They have a proven track record of finding creative and sustainable solutions and prioritising community participation as a key element of their project delivery. “The Energy Transition Zone is a milestone project that will help cement Aberdeen’s position as the all-energy capital of Europe, securing a sustainable and vibrant future for the North East and the people who live and work here. “This region is one of the most attractive locations in Europe in which to develop and accelerate the commercialisation of the innovative low-carbon technologies that are needed to help Scotland and the UK meet their respective Net Zero targets. The master planning activity is an important step in ensuring this project is as a catalyst for innovation, investment and sustainable growth. “Critical to the project’s success is ensuring the local community is listened to throughout the process. The team at Ironside Farrar are fully aware of the importance we place on this, and they will play a key role in delivering what is an exciting and ambitious project for our region. “We are at the start of the process and would welcome the opportunity to explore with the community ideas around a number of specific projects and initiatives that would have the aim of developing local amenities, whilst considering the importance of biodiverse areas, as important community-based elements of the ETZ project.” Julian Farrar, Managing Director for Ironside Farrar, said: “It is a privilege to be named as Energy Transition Zone partner for the delivery of this master plan. Building more sustainable and inclusive places has never been more important and we look forward to working with the many and varied stakeholders to develop the master plan and support our transition to net zero.”