A focused strategy has been launched to place Scotland at the
forefront of the net zero economy, with targeted actions to
secure growth and investment.
Delivered as part of the Programme for Government, the Green
Industrial Strategy sets out five priority areas where efforts
and resources will be concentrated. These are:
- maximising Scotland's wind economy
- growing the hydrogen sector
- developing the carbon capture, utilisation and storage sector
- supporting green economy professional and financial services
- attracting clean energy intensive industries such as
datacentres
A range of specific actions include hosting a Global Offshore
Wind Investment Forum next Spring, working with the sector to
develop hubs of hydrogen production and demand and working with
public and private partners to drive investment in key projects.
Deputy First Minister and Acting Cabinet Secretary
for Net Zero and Energy unveiled the Strategy
during a visit to Flowcopter, a company developing drones which
can be used in the offshore wind sector
Ms Forbes said:
“The global transition to net zero provides opportunities across
every part of our economy through a strengthened partnership
between the public and private sectors.
“This Green Industrial Strategy spells out where we believe the
greatest opportunities lie, and where we will focus our attention
and resources.
“It provides certainty for businesses - both at home and abroad -
by demonstrating where and how we will work to reduce barriers to
investment and, where appropriate, share risk and reward.”
Ms Martin said:
“Scotland's energy sector will play a crucial role in growing the
economy and delivering on our net zero targets.
“We have already committed up to £500 million over five years to
develop the offshore wind supply chain.
“This will build further on Scotland's strengths to generate
growth in well paid jobs and exports, to enable us to deliver on
our Programme for Government priorities of high quality public
services, eradicating child poverty and protecting the planet.”
Managing Director of Flowcopter Peter McCurry said:
“The rapidly growing green energy sector represents a real
opportunity for Flowcopter to not only scale-up our business, but
create even more high-tech jobs as part of a Scottish supply
chain.
“Flowcopter has successfully developed an uncrewed cargo drone
for remote logistics. Through this, we came to recognise the huge
potential to drastically reduce operations and maintenance costs
for the offshore wind industry.”
Background
The Green Industrial Strategy.
An evidence paper on the offshore
wind focus has also been published.
The Programme for Government
2024/25
Energy Intensive Industries include both existing operations
which can convert to renewables and new industries attracted to
Scotland by the availability of clean energy.
Flowcopter, a drone technology manufacturer based in Midlothian,
is currently working on a £1.9m project, 50% funded by Scottish
Enterprise, to develop a new heavy-lift, unmanned aircraft
capable of operating on less than 30% of the aviation fuel used
by a helicopter. The Flowcopter drone, called the FC100, is
the first of its kind and uses a new type of hydraulic power to
lift a heavy payload and fly for hours – making it suitable for
offshore wind operations and maintenance.
