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ETZ Ltd has appointed Isla Robb, an industry leader described as an “inspiring force for change”, as its offshore renewables director. The appointment comes as ETZ Ltd looks to secure new high value offshore wind related investment for the Energy Transition Zone and the wider region to deliver sustainable economic impact. Isla’s energy career spans the public and private sectors, with a strong focus on offshore wind and supply chain management. As managing director of Opergy Scotland, she led numerous initiatives to support large-scale clients, SMEs, and public sector organisations, guiding them through the challenges of energy transition. Her work in connecting local suppliers with developers through meet the buyer events and promoting diversity in the offshore wind industry were recognised last year when she won the prestigious Judges’ Award at Scottish Green Energy Awards 2024 and was described by the judging panel as an “inspiring force for change.” Isla Robb said: “It is a huge privilege to be appointed director of offshore renewables at ETZ Ltd, an organisation that is at the vanguard of energy transition and efforts to secure a vibrant and prosperous future for Aberdeen and the North-east of Scotland. This region has all the ingredients for success, a pipeline of transformational projects on our doorstep alongside a world-class supply chain that can deliver them, and I’m relishing the opportunity draw upon my experience to ensure we unlock the investment required to maximise the vast potential afforded by offshore wind.” Maggie McGinlay, chief executive officer at ETZ Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have Isla join the team at ETZ Ltd. She brings a wealth of experience to the role and has a proven track record of working collaboratively, across industry and government, in support of energy transition. Her deep-rooted knowledge of the challenges and opportunities faced by the offshore wind sector, particularly the supply chain, will prove invaluable as we seek to accelerate the commercialisation of this industry across the North-east of Scotland.” 

ETZ Ltd continues to support high-growth potential companies across North-east Scotland's energy sector to enter low carbon markets.ETZ Ltd has launched its fourth round of the Supply Chain Challenge Fund, open now for new applications.To date, circa £5million has been invested by ETZ Ltd to support 37 companies in their ambition to transition into low carbon energy sector unlocking a total £14m investment since launch of the four-year programme in 2022.The Challenge Fund awards grant funding between £50k and £250k to accelerate innovation and market entry, support business growth, safeguard and create new jobs in new and existing low carbon sectors.Applications may include new industrial facilities, manufacturing and automation of equipment, installation, and existing industry infrastructure upgrades, including digital infrastructure.Click here to watch a video with more information.The fund will primarily support SMEs servicing the oil and gas market in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray who have an ambition to transition into new or existing commercial opportunities in the low carbon energy sector.The Challenge Fund is administered by ETZ Ltd and supported by the Scottish Government's Just Transition fund.Applications are now open until Friday, 27th March. You can find out more here.

We are excited to announce the release of ETZ Ltd's new Quarterly Update. In the past few months, we have hit significant milestones in our goal to reposition Aberdeen and North East Scotland as a globally recognised energy cluster focused on the delivery of net zero.Read the newsletter here!

Details of the projects supported in the Torry and Cove areas of Aberdeen by the new Community & Coast Fund have been announced by ACVO and ETZ Ltd.16 local organisations based in Torry and Cove have been provided a cash boost from the Community & Coast Fund to support impactful local projects. The Fund is awarding up to £100,000 to local community projects delivered in partnership with Aberdeen’s Third Sector Interface, ACVO TSI. It aims to empower local groups within Torry and Cove by providing cash grants to support initiatives which address community needs ranging from youth support to wellness and skills development, as well as and heritage preservation, sustainability and improving biodiversity. Applications opened in late September 2024 and local groups were invited to bid for grants of up to £10,000 to help bring their ideas for innovative community projects to life. In this inaugural pilot year of the fund, a total of £95,000 in eligible project grants were requested, allowing all applicants to receive a share of the available funding and see their projects supported. The local organisations benefiting from the fund include Cove Thistle AFC who were awarded funding to purchase landscaping equipment for maintaining Catto Park; Tullos Crescent Allotment Association, receiving funds to install a compostable toilet, expand fruit and herb planting, and promote sustainable local food production; and Brimmond Court Residents Group who will use their grant for a kitchen renovation in their common area, enabling better facilities for volunteers and enhancing social events for the community. These grants, aimed at supporting grassroots, community-led projects, offer the opportunity for much needed investment, especially in a climate where funding is competitive and local organisations in Aberdeen, and across the country, often find themselves facing budget constraints. Maggie Hepburn, Chief Executive of ACVO TSI, said: “Securing funding is often a significant hurdle for local groups and we are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity for project support. ACVO has a proven track record of distributing funds to a wide range of community organisations across Aberdeen and we consistently witness the transformative impact that well-funded projects can have. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact projects supported by Community & Coast Fund have in Torry and Cove and also being able to share these good news stories with the rest of Aberdeen” Carole Monnier, Community Lead at ETZ Ltd, said, “We are delighted to be supporting such a range of exciting local initiatives delivering positive impacts across Torry and Cove and are looking ahead to next year’s renewed round of funding." ACVO TSI will be actively engaging with recipients of the fund to showcase stories of success as the projects get underway in 2025. These will be available to view on the Fund’s dedicated website. 

Virtual Reality will soon be integrated at Aberdeen Science Centre (ASC) thanks to support from ETZ Ltd, Mermaid Subsea Services UK and Peterson Energy Logistics, with project partner AVC. The project involves the purchase of 38 VR headsets which will be used in a variety of activities, workshops and science demonstrations, as well as being taken on the road to be used at the centre’s many outreach programmes and at local events. ASC's head of fundraising, Steph McCann said: “We are immensely grateful for the support of Mermaid, ETZ Ltd and Peterson, alongside AVC, which has allowed us to move forward with our plans to enhance our interactive activities and workshops with the addition of VR headsets. With this technology, we can transport our visitors to new worlds where they can explore our solar system, walk around a hydroelectric dam, and journey through the digestive system and so much more. Any additional funding secured for the project will be used to increase the impact that the technology will have on the centre’s activities, including more dedicated staff training sessions and further integration with school workshops and community activities.” Lauren Braidwood, ETZ Ltd’s Skills Lead said: “We are looking forward to seeing virtual and augmented reality become part of Aberdeen Science Centre’s offerings, enhancing and futureproofing the fantastic work they already do in STEM education. ETZ Ltd is committed to enabling the next generation to join and lead our energy transition, and Aberdeen Science Centre’s work is vital to inspiring and engaging young people across the region in science and technology.”

Market-leading facility, backed with UK, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and industry funding, will rapidly scale-up green energy firms Construction has started on a Scotland-first facility for developing and manufacturing green energy technologies and the rapid scale-up of the companies developing them. UK Energy Minister, Michael Shanks MP, has marked the start of work on the £9.1m project in Aberdeen, backed by UK Government, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and industry funding, and unveiled its new title: ETZ EnergyWorks. Expected to be operational in early Autumn 2025, ‘EnergyWorks’ will be the flagship of the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) Innovation Campus in the Granite City, with the 3,000 square-metre premises providing a mix of industrial and collaboration space alongside advanced manufacturing and entrepreneurial support for firms ready to develop and scale. ETZ EnergyWorks was founded by ETZ Ltd, bp and Scottish Enterprise, supported by the UK and Scottish Governments, with delivery partners National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC). The UK Government has funded £5.5m towards the project, with £2m from Scottish Enterprise alongside additional Scottish Government funding, and £1.25m from bp. The energy incubator and scale-up hub will be a “one-stop shop” for companies working across sectors including offshore wind, hydrogen and battery storage, with the building itself being created with net zero principles at its heart, running on 100% green electricity, partly generated on site via solar panels, and use of sustainable construction materials. EnergyWorks will be equipped with a workshop operated by NMIS for advanced manufacturing support towards prototype development and commercialising new technology, alongside an array of industrial units for tenants as well as meeting, collaboration and co-working space. Its offering will include an ecosystem of mentoring and entrepreneurial support from the EnergyWorks project partners, designed to allow tenants to grow and, ultimately, outgrow their space to go out into the local economy. The facility aims to attract an initial 15 tenants in its first year and generate dozens of green energy jobs annually. EnergyWorks is a key facet of ETZ Ltd’s goal to position North East Scotland as the net zero capital of Europe. UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Our mission to become a clean energy superpower starts with building a world-class supply chain, that will revitalise our industrial heartlands and power homes and businesses with British-made infrastructure. “Aberdeen is already at the heart of our clean energy transition as the host of Great British Energy’s headquarters. This new government-backed EnergyWorks hub will build on the city’s highly skilled engineering workforce and cement Scotland’s role as a pioneer in renewable technology.” ETZ Ltd Chief Executive Maggie McGinlay said: “Supporting innovation and entrepreneurial energy businesses is vital as we position the North East of Scotland as the Net Zero Capital of Europe. “EnergyWorks will play a crucial role, providing practical support for companies seeking to bring their products to market as they get on with the business of the energy transition. “A one-stop shop for firms working across the transition, from offshore wind to hydrogen, this hub will deliver a blend of support for innovation, entrepreneurship and growth for the next generation of tech pioneers right here in the North East – the work starts now.” Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Adrian Gillespie said: “It’s fantastic to see construction starting at EnergyWorks, set to become a critical location for helping entrepreneurs across the North East and Scotland access the support and funding they need to kick start and accelerate growth. “Helping businesses identify opportunities to be part of Scotland's energy transition future is one of our missions at Scottish Enterprise as we work to accelerate economic transformation. “We look forward to working alongside our partners to support energy entrepreneurs at EnergyWorks.” Dr Oliver Taylor, Vice President Regional Corporates and Partnerships, bp UK & EU, said: “As the energy transition progresses, and new exciting projects move from planning to reality - like the bp and Aberdeen City Council green hydrogen hub - it’s vital we support our supply chain to transition too. “EnergyWorks can be an important catalyst for this effort and bp is proud to be backing this project and see it starting to take shape." National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) Chief Executive Officer Chris Courtney said: “It is vitally important we maximise the supply chain opportunities from the energy transition, particularly in Aberdeen with its globally recognised skill base and heritage. We are delighted to join our partners to support entrepreneurs, allowing them to rapidly scale their businesses. “We will help entrepreneurs bring transformative products and services to market quickly by developing and de-risking new technologies they need, developing the future skills they need and connecting them to the network of innovation in Aberdeen and across the UK.” Net Zero Technology Centre Chief Executive Myrtle Dawes said: “Through the Net Zero Technology Centre’s TechX start-up accelerator programme, we’ve had the pleasure of nurturing the North East’s community of cleantech entrepreneurs. It’s fantastic to see government and industry investing in a dedicated facility where these bright minds can collaborate and drive forward the development of technologies critical to the energy transition. “This facility and its tenants are key to realising Aberdeen’s potential as Europe's clean energy capital. We’re committed to supporting the next generation of innovators by providing them with expertise and mentorship through ETZ EnergyWorks, combined with the funding and exposure they can gain through TechX, which has accelerated 69 start-ups and counting."