FOURTEEN Scottish firms have been chosen for major energy transition funding.

Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) – which runs the Scottish Government-backed fund – has chosen companies from Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray in the first formal round of funding from the Energy Transition Supply Chain Pathway and Challenge Fund.

The goal is to encourage a just transition, enabling Scottish firms that have typically been involved in oil and gas to take advantage of green energy opportunities.

Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Richard Lochhead said the grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 have now supported 25 companies.

A further round of funding is expected to open in 2024.

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Lochhead commented: “We must ensure Scotland’s move to net zero is managed fairly for workers in existing industries and across communities - taking advantage of the oil and gas industry’s expertise and ingenuity to transition to a clean energy future will help us achieve our net zero targets and create good green jobs as well as tackle inequalities in our society.”

Freda Miller, energy supply chain programme manager at ETZ, said: “The supply chain is the very lifeblood of our energy sector and it is vital that we provide them with the support required to capitalise on the vast opportunities that energy transition provide.

“The fund was set up to accelerate the development of new industry-related facilities, new equipment and existing infrastructure upgrades - including digital infrastructure - and to drive innovation and market entry.

“By doing this, it will support company growth and create sustainable jobs with the result that the north east achieves an accelerated and successful energy transition.”

The businesses which received funding are:

  • AJ Engineering and Construction Services, Moray - £250,000 (Increasing electricity grid capacity).
  • Autosub, Aberdeen - £245,000 (Offshore wind).
  • Cebo International, Aberdeenshire - £250,000 (Offshore wind).
  • Fennex, Aberdeen - £129,967 (Offshore wind).
  • Forsyths, Moray - £84,442 (Offshore wind).
  • GDI, Aberdeen - £94,465 (Water/renewables).
  • Glacier Energy Services, Aberdeen - £63,370 (Hydrogen).
  • Peterhead Port Authority, Aberdeenshire – £221,736 (Offshore wind).
  • Pier Solutions, Aberdeenshire - £60,425 (Battery storage).
  • PowerJacks, Aberdeenshire - £250,000 (Offshore wind/electrical vehicle production).
  • Seaflo Consultancy, Aberdeen - £170,000 (Offshore wind/marine) Verlume, Aberdeen - £250,000 (Offshore wind).
  • Whittaker Engineering, Aberdeenshire - £250,000 (Low carbon heating).
  • Woolard & Henry, Aberdeen - £247,500 (Offshore wind).