The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
ScotWind to mark ‘green’ transition
Arenewable industry boss says Scotland’s economy is at an “inflection point”, with green energy, investments and technology poised to flood the market.
Ed Northam, head of Europe for the Green Investment Group (Gig), acknowledged Scotland’s role in “pioneering” renewable energy deployment but said the big opportunities lie in the “next phase” of transition.
That includes a chance for the country to showcase how decarbonisation can be achieved on an “economy-wide” scale.
Scotland’s “green turning point” is being spearheaded by the landmark ScotWind offshore wind leasing round, Mr Northam said.
Gig, through partnership with TotalEnergies and the Renewable Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG), is vying to snap up plots of seabed.
There’s just a fortnight to go until ScotWind closes to new bids so a detailed picture of Scotland’s green future is not far off.
“ScotWind is going to be really significant in marking that inflection point”, Mr Northam said, adding: “It’s going to introduce a whole range of new participants into this market.
“The oil and gas majors, we expect, will play a big role in the process. That’s fantastic because they bring deep expertise in delivering offshore infrastructure.
“They have established relationships with the supply chain in Scotland – that will help to drive the ‘just transition’.
“For years now, those businesses have been developing and honing talent. I expect that not only to continue but to expand with the energy transition.”
Gig – owned by Australian financial powerhouse Macquarie Group – has been “part of Scotland’s energy transition” since 2012 and supported around 20 projects up and down the country, Mr Northam said.
To date it has mobilised investment of about £635 million in Scotland.
Mr Northam had a hand in helping the UK Government set up the Green Investment Bank, which was sold to Macquarie in 2017.
On how teaming up with TotalEnergies and RIDG will help to develop Gig’s foothold in Scotland, he said: “It’s a really complementary partnership.
“We combine pioneering experience in the offshore market, including a big presence in offshore wind, with TotalEnergies’ extensive experience in delivering infrastructure.”
He also said a “key focus” of their ScotWind bid was to “repurpose and reshape” existing businesses with a “traditional oil and gas focus” to support the delivery of offshore wind.
Recent reports have predicted a majority of the North Sea workforce will be involved in renewables in the coming years.
Fears remain that bridges needed to ensure a smooth and just transition from one industry to another have yet to truly materialise.
Mr Northam is confident concerns will evaporate in due course. “That might just be a reflection of the stage of the process we’re at currently”, he said, adding: “I’m sure when you walk down the streets of Aberdeen in the coming years there’ll be different feedback.
“It’s an area that’s rich with experience and expertise that’s going to be really valuable.
“We’re really excited by what’s on offer in that market from a skills and capabilities perspective – we’ll be able to tell a great story for the Scottish economy.”