Energy industries
With the growing shift away from fossil fuels, Scotland can help companies to transition from non-renewable energy sources to more sustainable solutions. We have big opportunities for international investors, particularly in offshore wind, carbon capture, energy storage, and decarbonisation of heat and transport.
Did you know?
Scotland is home to the world’s first tidal array, world’s first floating offshore wind farm, and one of Europe’s largest hydrogen bus fleets. A new power plant at Peterhead in Scotland is the world’s first gas-fired power station equipped with carbon capture storage technology to capture up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 every year – that's 15% of the UK’s target by 2030.
Unrivalled natural resources
Scotland is the windbreak of Europe with over 4GW of offshore wind already operational or under construction and 6GW in the pipeline.
700 renewable energy experts
Scotland has the world's largest energy research group of more than 700 renewable energy scientists, engineers and academics.
Impressive project pipeline
Scotland has a strong offshore wind market ready for investment. ScotWind leasing will deliver an extra 10GW by 2035 and a further 16GW in future rounds.
Scotland's net zero future
While hydrogen-powered transport is the catalyst and early enabler for the oil and gas transition towards net zero, Scotland’s vision is much grander than that. Scotland has a huge range of skills, assets and industry knowledge that can be transferred to a net zero future.
Scotland remains the best-placed country in Europe to realise carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) on a commercial scale. The creation of a world-leading Energy Transition Zone, backed by more than £26 million Scottish Government investment and supported by Scottish Enterprise, will accelerate the delivery of net zero solutions and secure a strong economic future built on offshore wind, hydrogen, and CCUS.
Scotland has 12,000km of coastline and more than 790 islands. With our abundant resources, outstanding locations, exceptional experience, unrivalled government support and world-class research and development facilities, we're leading the world in renewables.
Acorn Hydrogen project at St Fergus in North East Scotland will be the first large-scale hydrogen project developed in Scotland. Acorn Hydrogen will initiate, test and develop a cost-effective way of converting North Sea gas to cleaner fuel (blue hydrogen linked to CCUS) with potential for large-scale hydrogen production. It will be a catalyst for developing the hydrogen market within Scotland and beyond.
Investing in Scotland means access to potential capital contracts worth tens of billions as well as huge export revenue possibilities.
Opportunities in renewable energy
Energy systems
Scotland has immediate opportunities across our energy systems supply chain - from hydrogen and energy networks to low carbon heat and transport.
Low carbon heat
Scotland is rapidly pursuing the decarbonisation of heat, creating a huge range of opportunities for low carbon heat projects and investment.
Low carbon transport
Learn about Scotland's sustainable decarbonised transport infrastructure and supply chain plans that are on track to meet its net zero emissions target by 2045.
Offshore wind
Scotland’s energy expertise, engineering heritage and location make us the natural choice for offshore wind projects.
Oil and gas transition
The Net Zero Technology Centre provides funding and support for international partners working on technology with potential to accelerate North Sea oil and gas industry transition to net zero.
Hydrogen energy opportunities
Scotland, the natural choice for the blue and green economies
There are several energy transition hubs emerging across Scotland, including Cromarty Firth Energy Hub and the Orion project in Shetland. These hubs are starting to demonstrate the scale of the opportunity and Scotland’s potential role in large scale production and supply of hydrogen.
Hunterston Port and Resource Centre (PARC) is the complete redevelopment of the 320-acre deep-water port and marine yard on Scotland’s North Ayrshire coast.
The PARC’s Centre for New Industry and New Energy (C-NINE) is attracting innovative commercial ventures, applying new scientific solutions to address important challenges such as the conversion of plastic to new products and hydrogen.
The PARC is also seeking investment for development and ongoing management of new power generation facilities targeting renewable and transitional technologies such as waste to energy, hydrogen, biomass and other feedstocks.
Turning the tide
Scotland has abundant natural resources, a renowned engineering heritage and ambitions to create a greener planet. That makes it the ideal location for Orbital Marine Power to build the world’s most powerful, most technologically advanced tidal turbine.
In this video, Andrew Scott, CEO and director of Orbital Marine Power shares his company's solution to low cost tidal stream energy.
Get the latest updates from Scotland’s renewables and energy industries.
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Hydrogen energy future
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Scotland's sustainable transport hub
Scotland is a big draw for investors and growing businesses in the mobility technology sector. Find out why Arcola Energy and SWARCO chose to locate to Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc.
Investment in Hywind Scotland
The world's first floating offshore wind farm is now providing clean energy to 20,000 Scottish homes, thanks to £52.5 million Masdar partner investment in Scottish renewable power.
Need help?
If you have a question about energy and low carbon opportunities in Scotland, our team of advisers can help.