Up to 30,000 jobs could be created in the North East of Scotland under plans to transform the region into the ‘net zero capital of Europe’.
A regional alliance has announced its formal bid for green freeport status, which it claims could boost gross value added (GVA) by £7.5bn over the next decade.
Modelling across the possible freeport tax levers identified 14,000 jobs will be created across the tax sites, 16,000 jobs created across with the wider region.
The proposals aim to bring large-scale, advanced manufacturing to Aberdeen, maximising the economic benefit from Scotland’s rapidly-growing offshore wind and hydrogen sectors, while accelerating carbon capture projects on the Buchan coast.
The bid consortium consists of Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Port of Aberdeen, Peterhead Port Authority and Aberdeen International Airport. It is also supported by the Energy Transition Zone, Net Zero Technology Centre, Storegga, Opportunity North East (ONE), Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Robert Gordon University and University of Aberdeen.
These partners believe that the fusion of freeport status with the North East’s energy expertise could lead the UK’s decarbonisation drive and just transition to a net zero economy.
It could also create a regional customs hub for Scottish food and drink exports, building direct links to key markets for products such as whisky, seafood and meat produce.
Senior representatives of the collaborative consortium were joined today by North East business leaders at the new Aberdeen South Harbour, which will play a key role in unlocking the offshore wind opportunity, to issue a direct call to both the Scottish Government and UK Government to back the region’s bid.
The North East Scotland Green Freeport bid comprises a special economic zone, within which a number of levers and tax incentives will be available to attract new inward investment and support expansion of existing businesses to invest, innovate and develop the skills.
Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of Port of Aberdeen, said: “In this climate emergency, the UK needs a region with a proven track record of delivering innovative energy solutions and economic opportunities at pace.
“Green freeport combined with a region internationally renowned for its resilience, adaptability and pioneering entrepreneurial spirit would deliver a prosperous new chapter in our industrial story.”
Jon Matthews, group head of capital and planning at Aberdeen International Airport, said: “There are exciting opportunities to help decarbonise the aviation industry through sustainable aviation fuel if a green freeport status was secured.
“This is very much aligned with our own ambitious net zero plans for the airport, which critically require the green freeport fiscal and operational levers to deliver.”
Mark Findlater, leader of Aberdeenshire Council, added: “This is an exciting time, and it is a great opportunity for Peterhead and the North East of Scotland.
“A successful bid has the potential to create thousands of high-quality jobs for our communities in this North East corner of Scotland.”
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