Guest Blog – Energetica: Scotland’s Energy Corridor – thriving in a natural environment

This guest blog is brought to you by James Welsh, the recently appointed Energetica Development Manager. James took on the new role in July, moving from the council’s Delivery Team to focus on driving Energetica forward and delivering the programme’s key priorities.

Energetica: Scotland’s Energy Corridor – thriving in a natural environment

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Coming from a public and private sector planning background in helping to deliver innovative and ambitious projects, I am delighted to be part of the Energetica programme which seeks to boost the economy of the north-east of Scotland and raise the profile of the area on a global scale.

Energetica is a 25-year programme to create a world class development corridor that is internationally recognised as a location of choice for oil & gas, energy and technology organisations of all sizes.

Energetica began life over five years ago, conceived by Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF) to drive economic development in the region.

The corridor covers a 30-mile area from Bridge of Don in Aberdeen stretching north to Peterhead and west to Dyce and Aberdeen International Airport. It is fast becoming a leading destination for innovation, knowledge and skills in current and future energy generation, hosting the organisations and research institutions that will collaborate to meet the world’s energy needs.

Much work has already been put into Energetica to date from its three partners; Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Enterprise, establishing it within national, strategic and local planning policy.

The challenge I now face is to build on the work that has already been done and move the programme into a phase of delivery that will help establish the corridor as a global hub for energy and innovation.

The Strategic Delivery Framework which sets out Energetica’s key priorities has been refreshed for 2014, to focus on addressing new opportunities and provide a stronger sense of direction.

The new framework will help us to make the most of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for Energetica. The Peterhead Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) and Aberdeen Hydrogen projects are paving the way in energy development and will cement the north-east of Scotland’s position on an international level.

Major investment in infrastructure, including the now under-construction AWPR and multimillion pound plans for Peterhead harbour and Aberdeen International Airport, will improve accessibility and open up the Energetica corridor to new opportunities.

There has never been a more exciting time for the Energetica corridor and a better time to be involved in a project which will shape the future for the north-east of Scotland.

More information is available at the Energetica website.