The North East Scotland Green Freeport, encompassing Aberdeen City and Peterhead, aims to deliver growth and regeneration in the North East of Scotland and transform the region into a global leader of sustainable energy and innovation. A Green Freeport for North East Scotland will accelerate Scotland’s ambition of achieving Net Zero by 2045. It will secure vital trade and support the acceleration of innovation, diversification and decarbonisation of the region's key sectors and deliver a £8.5 billion GVA boost, ushering in a new era of investment, innovation, regional regeneration and opportunities for those that need them most.
Up to 32,000 high-quality jobs will be created in the North East of Scotland under ground-breaking plans to transform the region into the 'Net Zero Capital of Europe'.
Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive of Port of Aberdeen:
"The fusion of Green Freeport status with North East Scotland, which is internationally renowned for its resilience, adaptability and pioneering entrepreneurial spirit, would deliver a prosperous new chapter in our industrial story. One which, quite literally, could help change the world."
Simon Brebner, Chief Executive of Peterhead Port Authority:
“A successful bid will have a transformative effect on the Peterhead area, accelerating the push towards Net Zero through carbon capture and storage and creating thousands of jobs as well as dovetailing with vital decarbonisation work across the region."
Jon Matthews, Group Head of Capital and Planning at Aberdeen International Airport:
“There are exciting opportunities to help decarbonise the aviation industry through sustainable aviation fuel if a Green Freeport status was secured. This is very much aligned with our own ambitious Net Zero plans for the airport, which critically require the green freeport fiscal and operational levers to deliver.”
Cllr Mark Findlater, Leader of Aberdeenshire Council:
"In Aberdeenshire, Green Freeport status would accelerate the development of Scotland's only carbon capture cluster, Acorn at St Fergus, and contribute to the decarbonisation of Scotland and Europe."
Cllr Ian Yuill, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council:
"The legacy of decades of enterprise, technology, research and innovation in offshore engineering and talent across the supply chain, equips the region to deliver the vision of becoming the Net Zero capital of Europe."
Cllr Miranda Radley, Convenor of ACC's Operational Delivery Committee:
"The bid offers to support the transition of our existing workforce, and in the longer term to develop the skills of our children and young people so they are ready to access the next generation of energy jobs."
Colette Cohen, CEO of the Net Zero Technology Centre:
"The bid for Green Freeport status is exciting and timely. A Green Freeport will give the region the foundation to blaze a trail for innovative entrepreneurs and game changing technologies, establishing it as a global leader in clean energy."
About
As a region, our ambition is to spearhead Scotland’s transition to Net Zero, generate new trade and investment, promote regeneration, and create sustainable jobs and opportunities for those who need them most.
North East Scotland Green Freeport is a collaborative venture led by Port of Aberdeen, Aberdeen International Airport, Peterhead Port Authority, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, and supported by regional stakeholders, private sector organisations and academia.
