21 Oct Interview with Maggie McGinlay, ETZ, Scotland
Scotland’s economic future is increasingly tied to its green energy transformation. Since 2022, the green sector has expanded by over 20%, supporting 100,700 full-time jobs. Why is the North East uniquely placed to lead the net-zero revolution and how pivotal is the ETZ project in delivering on the country’s economic transformation agenda?
Scotland has over 50 years of offshore oil and gas expertise, making it a global leader in energy. This knowledge, particularly the world-class subsea engineering capability, can now accelerate the shift to renewables, offshore wind, floating and fixed hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS). Scotland has also created a strong enabling environment with offshore wind licensing rounds, giving the private sector access to seabed licenses.
Currently, there is a pipeline of 42 gigawatts of offshore wind in Scotland, with about 58% in the northeast, including Aberdeen. Our advantage is threefold: expertise from oil and gas, significant financial capacity from the industry to invest in renewables and a plethora of projects on our doorstep that are ready to move forward in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture.
At ETZ Ltd, we focus on a managed transition. Oil and gas still account for 70% of the UK’s energy needs, so it’s about gradually shifting energy sources while supporting supply chain companies to transition from oil and gas to renewables. That is exactly where ETZ Ltd adds value, which is particularly pertinent because there is no doubt the renewable energy market faces global uncertainty. Offshore wind developers and supply chain companies operate internationally, so delays or cancellations can occur due to changing costs, financial availability or supply chain issues. While some projects, like Hornsea, have been cancelled, others are progressing.
In Scotland, the Ocean Winds Moray West project is live, the Green Volt floating offshore wind farm is moving forward after full consenting and the Sea Green fixed wind project is underway. This new industry still has uncertainties, especially around the timing of projects reaching full scale, but we are seeing steady progress alongside the challenges.
As a centerpiece of Aberdeen’s transformation into a green energy hub, could you give our readers a brief introduction to ETZ, including its scale, ambitions and why it’s an ideal launchpad for companies leading the energy transition?
ETZ Ltd is a not-for-profit focused on helping Aberdeen and North East Scotland remain a global leader in energy excellence, with a world-class supply chain, pioneering pipeline of projects and a thriving economy. Our main opportunities are offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. We aim to ensure a managed, seamless transition by taking a cluster approach: investing in land, infrastructure and supply chain companies, attracting foreign investment and supporting R&D to scale emerging technologies like floating offshore wind and green hydrogen. People are key: the Robert Gordon University Making the Switch report shows that 80–90% of jobs are transferable to low-carbon and green energy, giving us confidence in a skilled, adaptable workforce. We focus on workforce development while benefiting the local community, leveraging public and private investment, along with world-class university and research expertise, to ensure Aberdeen becomes as successful in green energy as it has been in oil and gas.
Aberdeen and the wider North East are central to Scotland’s net-zero roadmap, with a growing pipeline of wind, hydrogen and carbon capture projects. How is ETZ aligning itself to ensure successful delivery of these major projects?
Aberdeen and North East Scotland have a major opportunity in floating offshore wind. Of Scotland’s licensed projects, 17 gigawatts are floating wind, which is key because, unlike fixed wind, it can be deployed in deeper waters. Globally, floating wind is still emerging, but in our region, we already have the Kincardine project 一 the largest grid-connected floating wind project 一 and soon the Green Volt project, which will be the world’s largest commercial floating offshore wind farm.
Around 73% of Scotland’s floating wind projects are within 100 nautical miles of Aberdeen, making the city a central hub for this growing sector. The opportunity is strong not just because projects are planned, but because Aberdeen is a world leader in subsea expertise, inspecting sea beds, laying and maintaining cables and tethering structures. These skills from oil and gas are directly transferable to floating offshore wind.
ETZ Ltd’s role is to ensure companies can apply this expertise. We have invested in the world’s first National Floating Wind Innovation Centre, in partnership with the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, where technologies like dynamic cables are tested before offshore deployment. By supporting technology, people and commercial-scale projects, we aim to build a skilled floating wind supply chain that can export expertise globally. This is how ETZ Ltd, working with private and public partners, is helping Scotland lead in floating offshore wind.
Furthermore, CCS is critical for reaching net zero, which Scotland aims to achieve in 2045, and both the International Energy Agency and the UK’s Committee on Climate Change highlight CCS as essential. The Acorn Project is Scotland’s only CCS project. It will use offshore aquifers previously developed for oil and gas, leveraging existing infrastructure and expertise, which is highly transferable from the oil and gas sector. CCS not only reduces carbon emissions but also creates sustainable jobs and economic value. At ETZ, our focus is on projects that deliver climate impact, support employment and generate long-term economic benefits.
What concrete steps are being taken to establish Scotland as a serious hydrogen player, including the new Green Hydrogen Test and Demonstration Facilities due in 2027?
Scotland is seeing growing green hydrogen activity, supported by UK and Scottish government funding. In North East Scotland, the BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Project has reached final investment and is underway and the Statera Kintore Hydrogen Project recently received planning approval. Aberdeen has over a decade of green hydrogen experience, with hydrogen buses and fleet vehicles already operating in the city. While production capabilities are strong, more work is needed to stimulate demand for hydrogen in transport and heating.
ETZ’s major hydrogen project is a green hydrogen test and demonstration facility, currently at the feasibility and front-end engineering and design stage. It will test key components like valves and electrolyzers using on-demand hydrogen, giving confidence in their performance. As the hydrogen economy grows, such facilities are essential. Our approach is cluster-based: establish R&D capabilities, attract high-value manufacturing like electrolyzers and create both a local hydrogen supply chain and market demand.
Is Scotland’s labour force equipped for the pace and complexity of the green transition and what kind of national training plan is needed right now?
Universities and colleges across Scotland are already training young people in the skills needed now and for the future, from welding, fabrication, electrical engineering and project management to turbine technicians, heat pump specialists and digital software development. Scotland has, and will continue to have, the talent to meet the growing opportunities in green energy and support ETZ’s mission.
One of our first initiatives at ETZ was establishing the National Energy Skills Accelerator (NESA), working with the University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University and North East Scotland College (NESCol). NESA ensures courses align with industry needs for low-carbon and green energy. So far, it has delivered 38 energy transition training courses and supported over 700 individuals. We are also launching a mobile skills outreach vehicle for 13–15-year-olds, introducing them to energy transition careers and the subjects needed to succeed. Additionally, the Energy Transition Skills Hub, funded by Shell, the UK and Scottish governments, ETZ and NESCol, provides facilities and equipment to train the next generation. We are confident that the workforce is well equipped for the future of green energy.
What role is ETZ playing in helping energy transition companies digitize and why is digital transformation vital to the region’s green growth?
Digital transformation is vital for productivity and safety in offshore energy. Many tasks that once required challenging offshore inspections can now be managed remotely from onshore, reducing risk and improving efficiency. To support this, we invest in talent for software design, engineering, data analytics and remote operations. Asset integrity is increasingly handled via predictive maintenance and remote monitoring 一 companies like Fenix are even exporting their software internationally.
ETZ’s role is to ensure investment in these skills and to help companies understand and apply digital technologies. We run digital transformation workshops to guide supply chain companies on how technology can transform their operations.
The US continues to be Scotland’s top foreign investor, with more than 700 American firms employing over 115,000 people. What makes the ETZ an attractive destination for foreign investors in 2025 and what incentives are available for companies targeting high-growth green sectors?
Investors need confidence and that comes from four key factors. First is market demand: a strong pipeline of offshore wind projects shows the market is real and growing. Second is the innovation ecosystem: early-stage technologies like floating offshore wind and green hydrogen need research and development support. In our region, universities, the Net Zero Technology Centre, ORE Catapult, Floating Wind Innovation Center, National Decommissioning Center and National Subsea Center provide world-class expertise.
Third, workforce and supply chain: investors need skilled workers and a strong local supply chain, which Aberdeen and North East Scotland deliver. Lastly, supportive policy and funding: Scottish Development International, the Scottish National Investment Bank and the UK National Wealth Fund provide grants, debt and equity, making investment seamless. ETZ acts as a single point of connection, ensuring everything is easily accessible. Together, these factors give investors confidence to commit to Scotland’s low-carbon and green energy sector.
Scotland has a long history of trade and collaboration with North America, particularly in energy. In the 1970s and 1980s, North American expertise was crucial in developing Scotland’s oil and gas industry, building strong trust and relationships that continue today. As we transition to low-carbon and green energy, Scotland brings valuable experience in offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture, while offering attractive investment opportunities for North American investors. Scottish Development International serves as the main interface for trade and investment. We have also hosted delegations from the US to showcase Scotland’s projects and ETZ’s work, strengthening knowledge sharing, supply chain collaboration and long-term partnerships.
What’s your long-term vision for the ETZ, how do you see the zone’s impact evolving over the next 5 to 10 years and what is your final message to our readers?
At ETZ Limited, our goal is to keep Aberdeen and North East Scotland a global leader in energy, building on 50 plus years of oil and gas expertise. We aim to maintain a world-class supply chain, export knowledge globally and support pioneering low-carbon and green energy projects. Most importantly, we want a thriving economy with long-term career opportunities for future generations. For ETZ, success means creating lasting jobs, prosperity and ensuring Scotland remains as successful in green energy as it has been in oil and gas.