A regional alliance in the north-east of Scotland has announced its formal bid for Green Freeport status, which could create up to 30,000 jobs.
The consortium backing the North East Scotland Green Freeport comprises Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Port of Aberdeen, Peterhead Port Authority and Aberdeen International Airport.
It is also supported by a wide range of regional organisations, including the Energy Transition Zone, Net Zero Technology Centre, Storegga, Opportunity North East, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Robert Gordon University and University of Aberdeen.
The region is focused on becoming the global epicentre of the energy transition to lead the world in creating carbon-free energy and the technology needed to achieve net zero.
The announcement follows a recent visit to Aberdeen by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during which she highlighted the Scottish government’s commitment to reposition the region as the “Net Zero Capital of Europe”.
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has pledged to boost Scotland’s transformation as a “green energy hub” and deliver the government’s commitments on net zero.
North East Scotland Green Freeport aims to make these commitments a reality, according to the consortium.
It will bring large-scale, advanced manufacturing to Aberdeen to maximise economic benefit from Scotland’s rapidly-growing offshore wind and hydrogen sectors and accelerate pioneering carbon capture projects on the Buchan coast, they said.
The partners believe that the fusion of Green Freeport status with the north-east’s world-leading energy expertise will lead the UK’s decarbonisation drive and just transition to a net zero economy.
It will could also create a regional customs hub for premium and globally recognised Scottish food and drink exports, building direct links to key markets for products such as Scotch whisky, seafood and meat produce.
Senior representatives of the collaborative consortium were joined today by north-east business leaders at the new Aberdeen South Harbour, which will play a key role in unlocking the massive offshore wind opportunity, to call on the Scottish and UK governments to back the region’s bid.
North East Scotland Green Freeport will comprise a special economic zone within which a number of levers and tax incentives will be available to attract new inward investment and support expansion of existing businesses to invest, innovate and develop the skills needed to deliver a wide range of pioneering new projects.
The proposals include creating a globally recognised integrated energy cluster focussed on the delivery of net zero contributing to national energy and economic security.
They also want to leverage private sector investment to attract new manufacturing and subsea engineering companies which will maximise the significant opportunities for the regional and Scottish supply chain provided by ScotWind and INTOG licensing.
In addition the Freeport would accelerate the impacts of a new green hydrogen production and distribution hub and capitalising on the £400m (€467m) Aberdeen South Harbour expansion which provides 24 hour non tidal access and deep-water facilities on the east coast.
Port of Aberdeen chief executive Bob Sanguinetti (pictured: left) said: “In this climate emergency, the UK needs a region with a proven track record of delivering innovative energy solutions and economic opportunities at pace.
“The fusion of Green Freeport status with a region internationally renowned for its resilience, adaptability and pioneering entrepreneurial spirit would deliver a prosperous new chapter in our industrial story.
“One which, quite literally, could help change the world.
“So, let’s back North East Scotland Green Freeport. Let’s accelerate Scotland and the UK’s journey to net zero. Let’s anchor the world’s leading energy companies and talent right here for another 50 years.”
Peterhead Port Authority chief executive Simon Brebner (pictured: centre) added: “A successful bid will have a transformative effect on the Peterhead area, accelerating the push towards net zero through carbon capture and storage and creating thousands of jobs as well as dovetailing with vital decarbonisation work across the region.
“For Scotland and the UK to reach its climate goals, it needs the energy sector in the north east of Scotland to be at the vanguard of the transition.
“The levers and incentives offered through the Green Freeport will provide certainty to investors that in turns will allow us to transition to innovative renewables solutions.”