Workers and communities across the North East of Scotland will benefit from £8.5 million to support the transition to clean energy careers.
The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s pledge to ensure there is a smooth switch from oil & gas intensive activity to the renewables industry.
Four projects are receiving funding this year through the Just Transition Fund focus on offshore wind infrastructure and supply chain development.
The successful projects include:
- Cable Handling Facility, Maritime Developments – £2.9 million
- Orah Assembly and Deployment, Verlume – £2.5 million
- Enabling Renewable Energy Infrastructure, Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners – £2.4 million
- Large Scale Synthetic Mooring Line Test Rig, ORE Catapult – £500,000
The investment targets areas that have provided energy security through oil and gas for generations, ensuring these communities remain at the centre of Scotland’s energy sector.
The funding marks the beginning of Scotland’s Climate Week, with First Minister John Swinney officially opening Scotland’s largest energy transition skills hub at North East Scotland College in Aberdeen – a new centre of excellence which will train young people for highly skilled roles in the growing renewables sector.
The Hub received £4.5 million 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.
Mr Swinney 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.
“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.”
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