Renewed optimism for the future – Herald

LIAM SMYTH

Over the last 40 odd years, our expertise as a nation in developing
technical knowledge and expertise in the energy sector has become known and
highly regarded across the globe

As we strive as a nation to deliver a balanced energy mix, it seems that we
may well be on the cusp of new opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

Onshore wind and hydro has grown in Scotland over the last decade, no more
apparent than in the hills and forests of Aberdeenshire, where they adorn
the landscape, harnessing fresh air and transforming it into fuel.

And while solar and wave power may deliver in the future, right now it is
offshore wind using established technology that can deliver results quickly.

Only the will of government and regulation can get in the way of the
investment taking place in Scotland.

We are seeing massive investment in offshore wind taking place off the
North-east coast with the announcement of the £300million Vattenfall-owned
European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre.

The investment should deliver 92.4MW from just off the coast of Aberdeen,
while the innovative 30MW HyWind Floating Pilot Park is being developed by
Statoil east of Peterhead.

Both these projects represent significant inward investments for Scotland
and highlight the opportunity for our energy industry to use its technical
capability and infrastructure to develop new globally recognised capability.

As the debate over Chinese and French investment in Hinckley continues, we
need to embrace this opportunity to redefine our position as the European
centre of excellence for oil and gas and become known for our expertise
across the whole energy sector.

We have been working in deep water environments since the late 1960s,
forging ahead, developing new technologies and creating new solutions.

Turbine technology has been developed by others, but we have plenty of
expertise in fabrication, cabling, offshore communications, preparing the
seabed, shipping, crane operations and operation and maintenance.

These projects have a 20-25 year life, so there is also plenty of time to
improve the technology and to sell it to the rest of the world.

It is a skill we have developed in marketing our oil and gas expertise to
other areas of the world, where being ahead of the curve means the maturity
of the UK Continental Shelf can in certain lights be seen as a positive
advantage.

The Scottish Government currently has a moratorium in place on fracking,
but who knows where the consultation and research will lead? They have
committed to listening to “sound science” and if there is a gap for
drilling and exploration expertise in future years, this already exists.

A balanced and mixed energy supply will create resilience in the system and
keep the lights on, and it also gives us the opportunity to truly lead on
renewables.

We should embrace it whilst the opportunity is right here, right now.

The North-east has talked about renewables for years, we have delivered
onshore projects, from turbines, small scale hydro to hydrogen buses.

Now is the time to show that we can innovate and develop a unique position
as a renewables centre of excellence.

Liam Smyth is membership director of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce