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Forth is key to Scottish climate ambitions

[ August 17, 2021   //   ]

Energy consulting firm, Wood Mackenzie has published a research paper recommending that the Firth of Forth become a Net Zero hub for Scotland.

It says that the development of net zero hubs around the UK has proved a key plank of the country’s strategy towards achieving net zero by 2050. Scotland, which has a 2045 net-zero target, could advance its ambitions by establishing a net zero hub on the Forth, Scotland’s major industrial cluster.

Scotland has a critical role to play in supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions with vast offshore renewable resource potential combined with a rich oil and gas legacy has created deep offshore engineering and subsurface expertise, extensive oil and gas infrastructure, and established a reputation for excellence in the global energy business.

Forth Ports chief executive Charles Hammond, said: “Wood Mackenzie’s report and conclusions are timely and incisive. At Forth Ports, our vision is to create a Greenport ‘Hub’ and ‘Green Growth Corridor’ at the heart of Scotland that delivers a just and practical energy transition to meet the UK and Scottish Governments’ Net Zero and Energy Transition targets.

“We want to collaborate with the whole of Team Scotland to create new, high quality green energy jobs that will enhance Scotland’s Central Belt industrial powerhouse while tackling deprivation around our ports, contributing to the levelling up of the large industrial areas in our coastal communities. This is already under way in Leith where we have announced a privately financed £40m investment in a renewable energy hub at the port.

“These industrial areas must play a vital role in facilitating the country’s Net Zero and Energy Transition ambitions and creating new, high quality green energy jobs. We want our ports in the Forth Estuary to assist Scotland in achieving its carbon reduction targets by supporting offshore wind development and working with industry and stakeholders to deliver new, low carbon fuels and technologies, such as hydrogen and carbon capture.”

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