Scotland’s decarbonisation expertise to be highlighted at ADIPEC 2023

Decarbonising the energy system is one of the greatest challenges of our time.

Whether it’s governments creating legislation to cut emissions, businesses introducing new ways of working or academics conducting research to support the transformation of the industry, some of the world’s leading minds are focused on findings solutions that will deliver a cleaner, more secure energy future.

Bringing such stakeholders together to have an open conversation about the trilemma of security, affordability and sustainability of energy supply, not to mention having a forum where companies can exhibit their low-carbon products and capitalise on future global economic opportunities, is therefore essential. 

That’s where ADIPEC comes in.

The world’s most influential gathering for industry professionals, ADIPEC aims to accelerate action to decarbonise and future-proof the energy system.  Hosted by ADNOC under theme ‘Decarbonising. Faster.  Together’, the event has been strategically arranged to take place a month before COP28, which is also being held in the UAE, to continue the theme of inclusion and to build momentum towards energy transition.

ADIPEC will see 160,000+ attendees, 2,200 exhibiting companies, 28 country pavilions and 164 countries represented, as well as approximately 1,600 speakers delivering remarks across 350 sessions.

And that number will include Scotland’s international trade and investment agency, Scottish Development International (SDI).

Via our Scottish Pavilion, alongside the UK pavilions, we will highlight the innovative products and services produced by our world-class energy sector businesses, as well as showcasing our country as an incredible investment opportunity for companies to achieve their net zero aspirations.

SDI will have approximately 20 Scottish companies join us at ADIPEC, all of which are focussed on delivering energy transition innovations.  Representatives from the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), a cross sector organisation that is developing and deploying technologies for an affordable net zero energy industry, will also be with us in Abu Dhabi.

We are returning to ADIPEC following our productive attendance at last year’s event when Scotland’s voice was well received by those in attendance.

Post event evaluation data indicated that the Scottish companies hosted by SDI last year forecasted more than £63m in new international sales as a result of their attendance at ADIPEC 2022, with more than 300 jobs potentially being created or safeguarded.

Alongside our pavilion providing a platform for these innovative Scottish companies, we will be speaking with senior influencers at ADIPEC to not only create future opportunities for Scottish businesses in the UAE and the wider GCC region, but to also share our country’s world-leading energy transition story.

There’s certainly a lot to shout about when it comes to the low-carbon transition activities taking place in Scotland as the country carefully undertakes a just transition away from fossil fuels and towards a zero-carbon economy.

Whether it’s in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, offshore wind or tidal, Scotland is leading the way when it comes to decarbonising the energy system and identifying ways to help the world reach net zero.  For example:

• Scottish history and experience in the North Sea oil & gas sector, and the chemicals industry, provides the necessary workforce skills and infrastructure to apply to carbon capture and storage. And in August, the Acorn CCS Project in North-East Scotland was selected by the UK Government as one of the first four carbon capture clusters in the UK.
• As part of its Hydrogen Action Plan, the Scottish Government aims for Scotland to produce 5GW of renewable and low carbon hydrogen by 2030 and 25GW by 2045, with up to 94 TWh green hydrogen for export.
• Scotland is home to one of the world’s largest offshore leasing rounds, ScotWind, which will deliver up to 27GW worth of new offshore wind power.
• Scotland is pioneering wave and tidal technologies, with more test and demonstration devices deployed here than in any other country.

Backed by decades of engineering experience, unique offshore energy capabilities and a supportive business environment, Scotland is a natural supply chain partner for renewable energy and low carbon transition projects worldwide.

Scottish oil and gas supply chain companies are increasingly diversifying into the low carbon and renewable energy sector.  The ingenuity, resourcefulness and sheer pioneering spirit that created a globally respected industry is now being brought to bear on the energy transition.

So, Scotland has a lot to offer when it comes to the global conversation on how to decarbonise the energy system.  That’s why we will be delighted to attend ADIPEC to promote Scotland’s low-carbon trade and investment capabilities, as well as sharing our commitment to energy transition.

Make sure you come and visit us!

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David's editorial was initially published in ADIPEC Preview on Friday, 1 September.  You can view this here (page 63): https://www.adipec.com/media/ki4fxf23/2023-adipec-preview_v18_lr_adipec.pdf