ETIDEX 2022 kicked off with its Energy Transition Forum in which key players in the sector discussed the importance of keeping skilled workers in Aberdeen.
The panel was moderated by the director of sustainability at Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), Mike Tholen and played host to:
- Corporate development director at 3t Energy, Martin Hottass
- Export finance manager/clean growth export development manager at UK Export Finance, Lara McGrath
- Business development manager at Stork, Robert Taylor
- Partner at Addleshaw Goddard, David McEwing
- Head of strategy at SSE Thermal, Ross Moffat
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, HM Govt, Lord Offord
Addleshaw Goddard’s McEwing said that Aberdeen needs to keep the energy sector’s big players in the city.
Citing his office in Prime Four business park, Kingswells, the legal firm’s partner said he could see the likes of Ineos, TAQA and Equinor out of his window.
“The key thing is to keep these guys in the local community,” McEwing said.
“Keep the people here, keep the skills here and be well connected with the rest of the UK.”
SSE Thermal’s Ross Moffat added; “It’s not just the people and skills, it’s the infrastructure.
“The infrastructure opportunity we have in the north-east of Scotland is huge, our connection to the North Sea and as an industrial decarbonisation enabler, I think that’s why the Scotland Cluster was selected as the reserve cluster for this track on the funding process.”
Lord Offord of the Scotland Office also joined in on highlighting the importance of the north-east of Scotland to the energy sector, mentioning his recent visit to Kincardine floating offshore wind farm, he said: “Aberdeen is an absolute world leader in hydrocarbons and energy.
“What I say to hydrocarbon companies is they need to be more upfront about their role in this transition.”
© Supplied by KATH FLANNERY / DC TSpeaking of the opportunities in the north-east, Offord added: “Investors are continuing to be active in the Acorn project and that project is still moving along.”
Offord mentioned the opportunities the Acorn project in Peterhead can bring, suggesting that it could not only support decarbonisation in Scotland but help mainland Europe.
He spoke on the project’s capacity to assist Germany with its carbon as well.
Martin Hottass of 3t Energy also championed the granite city, saying: “Our biggest training center in the UK is in Aberdeen.
“The opportunity that we have is to be an early adopter for the energy transition in all the skills that are required to achieve that.”
The ETIDEX 2022 opening remarks, keynote speeches and Energy Transition Forum can be viewed on demand here.
The Energy Voice event was brought in collaboration with sponsors Addleshaw Goddard and SSE.