Scotland’s leading energy transition role to be showcased at ADIPEC 2022

Scotland has a distinguished industrial heritage.

As the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Scotland was a centre for engineering, shipbuilding and locomotive production as the transition to new manufacturing processes in the 18^th and 19^th century gathered pace.

That aptitude for innovation extended into the 20^th century with the discovery of oil and gas in the North Sea.  It was once said there would be a technology developed in Scotland operating in every oil and gas basin around the world.

Now in the 21^st century as minds focus on sustainability, there is a new ‘revolution’ – the green revolution.  And as a result of the innovative companies located on our shores, our world-class workforce and unparalleled natural resources, Scotland can once again lead the way.

The energy sector is evolving.  Globally, significant consideration is being placed on developing low-carbon technologies and introducing strategies that will reduce emissions.

It’s therefore fitting that ADIPEC, the world’s most influential gathering for industry professionals, is focusing on supporting the energy transition to secure a sustainable future for the sector.

It will also be the perfect environment for SDI to highlight innovative companies in Scotland that see economic opportunities which exist in a net zero future and showcase our country as an incredible investment opportunity for businesses to achieve their net zero aspirations.

SDI will have 23 Scottish supply chain companies join us at ADIPEC.  These firms are committed to accelerating Scotland’s net zero transition, whether it’s applying digital technologies to reduce carbon emissions, contributing towards technological innovation or offering solutions to decommission legacy assets.

These companies represent a wide range of sub-sectors across our country’s energy industry and offer a snapshot into Scotland’s expertise.

For example, we can leverage Scotland’s oil and gas history to become one of the best locations in Europe for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS).

In the North Sea, we already have the largest CO2 storage potential in the UK.  We have the infrastructure, including our ports and our pipelines, that can support CCUS growth.  Skills that exist in Scotland, developed because of oil and gas, are easily transferable to CCUS.

We are also going to see significant growth in hydrogen.

At COP26 in Glasgow last year, the Scottish Government published its draft Hydrogen Action Plan. This outlined the steps for Scotland to secure a position as one of Europe’s key producers of clean hydrogen, with targets of 5GW by 2030 and 25GW by 2045.  Many world-leading achievements have already been delivered in Scotland and there’s a healthy pipeline of clean hydrogen production projects under development.

Scotland is also blessed with phenomenal natural resources, including offshore wind.  Our country has more than 462,000 km2 in its offshore Exclusive Economic Zone and this is now home to ScotWind, one of the world’s largest leasing rounds.

A total of 17 projects, with a combined potential generating capacity of 28GW, have been offered the rights to specific areas of the seabed for the development of offshore wind projects.  Approximately 15GW of this will be floating projects.  Many of the proposed developments are also planning to incorporate offshore production of green hydrogen.

Scotland also has significant tidal resources, with the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) located in Orkney.  EMEC remains the world’s leading testing demonstration facility for marine renewable energy technologies.

So, there’s a lot for Scotland to shout about.  And we are delighted to be back in the UAE following our attendance at Expo2020 in Dubai, where Scotland’s efforts to reduce emissions were highlighted at our ‘Race to Net Zero Hydrogen Day’ event.

At that event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Clean Energy Business Council and the Scottish Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association.  The MoU will strengthen links between both organisations and develop joint activities.

Scotland already has a strong presence in the Middle East.  Our UAE Trade Envoy, Nicholas Maclean, is based in Dubai, and we have specialists focused on Energy and Low Carbon Transition, Consumer Industries and Science and Technology based across the region.

Scotland is ready for international business with values based on creating a fair, sustainable and low-carbon future.  We look forward to sharing our commitment to energy transition at ADIPEC 2022.

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David's editorial was initially published in the Day 2 edition of the ADIPEC Show Daily on Tuesday, 1 November.  You can view this here (page 46): https://digitaladipecnews.energyconnects.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=8e654fe2-48c5-41ad-b552-a6478b7d3b55