Playing a part in Scotland’s Green Industrial Strategy

The Scottish Government has published its Green Industrial Strategy. The document looks at the global transition to net zero and how Scotland can achieve the maximum possible economic benefits from its opportunities. 

Decarbonising both domestic and non-domestic energy can bring huge benefits to Scotland. The transformation will bring highly skilled, well-paid jobs into the Scottish economy, drive investment and sustain the growth of its key industries. 

Why Scotland?

Scotland has a wealth of natural resources. Its established onshore and offshore wind sectors, water and land potential offer immense economic value. Scotland has historically been a big player in the oil and gas industry. Therefore, its abundant energy infrastructure and highly skilled workforce can be repurposed to deliver an effective energy transition.

Scotland is already delivering international and domestic low carbon energy projects by using its existing industries. Despite recently announced plansopens in a new window to close the Grangemouth oil refinery, work is already underway to ensure the future success of the area. As part of these plans, Grangemouth Industrial Cluster is now set to play a key role in Scotland’s energy transition.

The existing infrastructure, once responsible for almost a tenth of Scotland’s total carbon emissions, will now be home to a world leading low carbon hydrogen site. The site is also well placed to produce future fuel products that will drive decarbonisation across Scotland. 

Scotland has many other factors that will help it on the road to becoming a global leader in delivering net zero. 

• Geographical proximity to mainland Europe and European markets
• Supportive policy environment and government ambition
• Strong culture of Research & Development
• World leading universities, academic and research institutes
• Strong position in delivering green and sustainable finance

What must happen next?

At the heart of Scotland’s Green Industrial Strategy is its stand-out ambition to achieve net zero by 2045, five years before the rest of the UK. 

The Scottish Government recognises that a collaborative approach between the public and private sectors will be needed to realise these goals. Scotland must foster a supportive environment for investors, invest in strong research and development and be open to new innovators across the market. 

Hydrogen plays a big part in Scotland’s Green Industrial Strategy. The Government recognises Scotland’s advantage in renewable energy generation. This can be used to produce hydrogen via electrolysis and help position the country as a major global competitor for the export of green hydrogen into European markets. Thanks to its huge renewable energy potential, Scotland can become an epicentre of cleaner, more reliable and competitive hydrogen products.

Where does SHINe fit?

The Scottish Green Industrial Strategy specifically mentions the key role that Scottish Enterprise will play in making sure that Scotland is making the best use of its joint resources. Scottish Enterprise’s role includes driving investment in new green projects and capabilities that will grow Scotland’s domestic renewable energy production and transform the Scottish economy. 

In order to realise the economic opportunities afforded to Scotland by the green energy transition, the Scottish Government is working to:

• Support green investment in Scotland, attracting newcomers and innovators to the Scottish market
• Support the development of a skilled workforce to help plug the green skills gapopens in a new window of around 200,000 workers across the UK
• Help the existing green supply chain seize the new opportunities available

The Scottish Hydrogen Innovation Network (SHINe) aims to speed up innovation in the Scottish green energy sector, fostering collaboration across the supply chain. It will encourage investment in the crucial hydrogen innovations needed to decarbonise some of the nation’s most carbon intensive industries. 

Scotland can be a leader in the global hydrogen revolution. The technology can be used across the supply chain from production and manufacturing to transportation, storage and end use. 

SHINe will make it easier for new and existing companies and investors to take advantage of Scotland’s rich resources. It will act as a single platform to guide companies of all sizes towards funding opportunities, Scottish assets and the existing hydrogen innovation ecosystem.

SHINe’s capability directory contains a wealth of existing Scottish innovators ready to collaborate with newcomers to develop and deploy new and innovative products and services within the hydrogen sector. 

Visit the SHINe capability directory