Member News: Scottish Enterprise and Energy Transition Zone Ltd agree£20m strategic partnership

March 17, 2026
Member News: Scottish Enterprise and Energy Transition Zone Ltd agree£20m strategic partnership

Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Energy Transition Zone (ETZ Ltd) have entered a strategic partnership valued at up to £20 million to help accelerate Scotland’s energy transition

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines the intention for up to £20 million of capital investment by SE into ETZ Ltd projects in Aberdeen and the North East, alongside ETZ Ltd and other partners.

It is aimed at unlocking total investment of up to £65 million in manufacturing, innovation and test and demonstration space by 2032. The MoU strengthens the organisations’ existing relationship by formalising a long-term commitment to jointly invest in and co-design transformative energy transition projects and infrastructure in the region.

The first project to achieve funding under the MoU is SE’s £2.8 million investment into EnergyWorks, ETZ Ltd’s flagship low carbon energy incubator and scale-up hub.

Other areas of collaboration include attracting global investment, creating high-value jobs, enhancing net zero infrastructure, enabling new technology development and bolstering Scotland’s renewable energy supply chain.

Companies based at ETZ Ltd locations will also benefit from direct access to SE specialists in industries such as offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable alternative fuels and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).

Adrian Gillespie, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said:

“We’re committed to ever closer working with ETZ Ltd and others to accelerate Scotland’s energy transition. This strengthened partnership paves the way for greater public-private collaboration, ensuring we maximise the benefits this key opportunity presents for Scotland’s economy and its communities, particularly in the North East.

“Through our missions approach Scottish Enterprise supports ambitious energy transition companies to scale and grow by enabling their international expansion, strengthening our supply chain capabilities and driving greater investment into important infrastructure such as ports and harbours.”

The North East is strategically important for a successful just transition due to its highly skilled workforce, internationally renowned businesses and existing supply chains. SE and ETZ Ltd have a crucial role to play in maintaining the region’s global reputation for energy production and exports as the sector makes the shift towards renewables.

Maggie McGinlay, CEO, ETZ Ltd, said:

“From day one, ETZ Ltd has been built on partnerships and collaboration with those committed to securing North East Scotland’s future as a global leader in energy excellence. Our work to date with Scottish Enterprise has sowed the seeds for transformational change for Aberdeen and the wider region and this agreement will only strengthen this further.

“Through targeted, strategic investment in key projects, we will help to unlock tens of millions of private capital to deliver the manufacturing, innovation and test and demonstration facilities needed to deliver the just transition that Scotland’s workforce deserves.”

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AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

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AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables
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Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
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The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy
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Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall
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Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise