Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change introduced to Aberdeen energy projects
01/03/13
A broad range of Aberdeen's energy projects and green initiatives was showcased to Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change during a visit to the Granite City on Friday, 1 March.
The Right Honourable Ed Davey MP was greeted by Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam and escorted to Aberdeen City Council headquarters Marischal College. They were joined by Tony Brooks, chief executive officer of Generate Land who gave a presentation on his company's Aberdeen project The Core – a £215 million low-carbon business park in the city, and Aberdeen Heat and Power Company general manager Ian Booth.
During his time at Marischal College, Mr Davey was briefed on an array of projects being led by Aberdeen City Council in energy development, renewables, and efforts to tackle climate change. These include: the high-profile Aberdeen Hydrogen Project, the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG); the council's pioneering role in the Carbon Trust's Local Authority Carbon Management Programme; its Climate Change Action Plan; the Aberdeen Heat and Power scheme which has drastically reduced fuel poverty in the city; sustainable transport options including the city's car club, which is the fastest growing in Scotland, and plans for Aberdeen to have Europe's largest fleet of hydrogen buses.
Mr Davey said: "There is a large number of energy-related projects being led by Aberdeen, showing that there's a lot more than just oil and gas to the city's energy industry and use. Aberdeen is finding and developing renewable energy technologies, working towards being a world-leading hydrogen city, cutting fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency through district heating and insulation schemes.
"The Coalition Government is absolutely committed to tackling climate change and increasing our energy efficiency, so it's great to see a city like Aberdeen leading the way forward, not just within the council but also in the private sector."
The Lord Provost said: "I welcome Mr Davey's commitment in coming to the city and finding out about our ambitious plans for tackling climate change, improving energy efficiency and driving new energy industries and renewables, as well as ensuring that the oil and gas industry which has served Aberdeen so well continues to thrive and grow.
"There is a huge appetite for growth and development of all aspects of the energy industry in Aberdeen, not just within the council but also in the private sector, and we have huge but eminently realisable aspirations and goals. Aberdeen is one of the few places in the UK which has continued to grow throughout the recession and it is recognised as one of the best places to invest.
"Our commitment to working with existing industries while fostering new ones, as well as making life better for citizens by providing warmer, easier to heat homes, really showcases Aberdeen as the place to invest, live and visit."
Tony Brooks, CEO of Generate Land said: "The energy industry is big business, but the realisation that it and all other industries must become more environmentally aware and energy-efficient is rapidly dawning. Not only are there environmental benefits to changing the way we work, build, and operate, there are significant cost benefits too.
"Generate Land specialises in creating high-quality energy-efficient communities using sustainable building techniques and we are very confident that the units provided on The Core will significantly reduce both carbon emissions and occupier running costs for the end user.
"Our aims tally with those of Aberdeen City Council which has done some sterling work in leading on environmental and energy issues in Scotland."