Moray MP Douglas Ross has welcomed reports that the Chancellor is set to invest more than £30million to support the green energy transition in the north-east of Scotland.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce in his Budget tomorrow (Wednesday) that the north-east will receive £27million for the Aberdeen Energy Transition Zone.
The funding is considered a first step in delivering on the UK Government’s commitment of a sector deal for the oil and gas industry. It will transform the region into a globally competitive hub for cleaner energies such as offshore wind and hydrogen.
A further £5million is expected to be committed towards the Global Underwater Hub in Aberdeen.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
“This is very welcome news and something that I and my Scottish Conservative colleagues have been lobbying for.
“The announcement of support for the Aberdeen Energy Transition Zone will help meet our net zero targets as we shift away from a reliance on oil and gas.
“Along with additional support for subsea technology, this funding comes at a critical time for the north-east region and the many people in Moray employed in this sector.
“The north-east has suffered more than most parts of Scotland due to a double whammy of Coronavirus and a global slump in the price of oil.
“That makes it all the more important that the UK Government steps up and delivers for this area – so that we can build back better and in a sustainable way from the pandemic.”