‘We must have government and industry working in partnership,’ said ETZ Ltd chief executive Maggie McGinlay as Westminster confirmed £17.3 million for Aberdeen’s Energy Transition Zone. Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander announced the funding on 30 October 2025 during a visit to the city, pitching the cash as a boost for jobs and the region’s clean power ambitions.

ETZ Ltd, the not-for-profit, private sector-led outfit driving the North East of Scotland’s shift to low carbon, will use the money to get land and services ready for occupiers. The zone sits beside Aberdeen South Harbour, rebuilt to offer deepwater berths and heavy-lift capacity aimed at offshore wind manufacturing and marshalling, according to the UK Government.

Officials say preparing plots next to the harbour will encourage new and growing clean energy firms to co-locate with their supply chains. The ambition is to turn the South Harbour into a leading base for delivering offshore renewables projects, while drawing in outside investment to back local capability.

Ministers frame the move as part of a wider push to cut energy bills and create skilled jobs. They also pointed out the £17.3 million was promised by the previous administration but not delivered; this time, they say, the funds will actually reach the project.

‘[It] will create jobs and bring down bills,’ Mr Alexander said, arguing the package would accelerate a renewables hub to support a thriving sector in and around Aberdeen. The Scottish Secretary met businesses in the city to underline the UK Government’s clean energy intent.

ETZ’s boss set out the task plainly. McGinlay said the supply chain on the doorstep of offshore wind needs public and private support if North East Scotland is to remain a hub of energy excellence, and that confirmation of funding will speed up work to make the zone one of Europe’s most attractive locations for low-carbon investment.

The UK Government says it has already invested £9.7 million in the ETZ. That includes £5 million for an Innovation Campus to develop and scale new green technologies, plus an Energy Transition Skills Hub with a welding academy, an advanced manufacturing area and digital training for future technologies.

During his Aberdeen visit on 30 October, Mr Alexander joined an energy round table, met Great British Energy, toured the Floating Offshore Wind Innovation Centre in the zone and visited Aberdeen South Harbour. The Government said the day was about aligning policy and delivery with what local firms need.

For workshops from Torry to Dyce, the immediate questions are practical: when enabling works begin, which contracts will open, and how quickly tenants can move in. No job numbers or milestone dates were released alongside the announcement; ETZ Ltd and ministers can expect pressure to set these out next.

ETZ Ltd’s stated aim is to keep the region a global leader in energy know-how by backing a world-class supply chain and pioneering low-carbon projects. With national policy pointing the same way and the harbour infrastructure in place, the expectation across the North East is simple: turn commitments into contracts-and contracts into work.