Partnership

The Energy Transition Zone (ETZ)

The Wood Foundation supports Energy Transition Zone as part of its long-term commitment to North-east Scotland’s future, helping the region build on its energy heritage and move towards new opportunities in low-carbon growth.

Visit ETZ website

Building the UK’s energy transition hub

ETZ Ltd is a not-for-profit, private sector-led organisation working to position North-east Scotland as a global leader in energy transition.

Its work is focused on creating a dedicated energy transition cluster beside Aberdeen South Harbour, with sites and facilities designed for offshore wind, hydrogen, innovation, skills and low-carbon manufacturing.

For The Wood Foundation, ETZ is part of a wider commitment to helping the North-east adapt, lead and thrive as the energy sector changes.

Scotland’s largest dedicated energy transition complex

ETZ is developing a nationally significant energy transition cluster in Aberdeen.

Located beside the new £420 million Aberdeen South Harbour, the zone is being designed to attract investment, support supply chain growth and create space for companies working in low-carbon energy.

Its ambition is not only to support individual projects. ETZ is helping create the conditions for the region to remain globally competitive as the transition gathers pace.

A long-term partner in the region’s future

The Wood Foundation’s support for ETZ sits alongside its wider investment in North East Scotland’s economic future.

ETZ was founded by, and is co-funded through, Opportunity North East, with The Wood Foundation’s backing helping to support the organisations driving economic diversification and energy transition in the region.

Sir Ian Wood chairs ETZ Ltd, helping shape its ambition to reposition the North-east from an oil and gas capital into a leading centre for low-carbon energy.

Investment in action

The Wood Foundation’s support for Energy Transition Zone forms part of its wider commitment to North-east Scotland’s economic future.

Through its backing of ETZ, the Foundation is helping the region build the infrastructure, partnerships and momentum needed to move from oil and gas strength into low-carbon growth.

£20 million

further support for ETZ as part of The Wood Foundation’s latest regional investment
£40 million

total Wood Foundation investment announced for ONE and ETZ
Long-term regional backing

support focused on helping North-east Scotland remain a globally relevant energy region
Coordinated investment

backing for ETZ alongside Opportunity North East, connecting energy transition with wider economic diversification

The impact of the partnership

ETZ is helping North-east Scotland prepare for a new phase of energy growth. Its work is focused on creating market-ready sites, developing specialist campuses and attracting companies that can support the transition to net zero.

This partnership matters to The Wood Foundation because the region already has world-class energy capability. ETZ gives that capability a focused place to grow, helping North-east Scotland remain relevant, competitive and ambitious in a changing global market.

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Maggie McGinlay

Chief Executive, ETZ Ltd

“The Wood Foundation has been fundamental to the development of Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) Ltd since our establishment in 2021. The initial investment via Opportunity North East was the catalyst to unlock Scottish and UK government funding which enabled transformational projects including the first National Floating Wind Innovation Centre, Scotland's largest Energy Transition Skills Hub and the UK's first Incubator and Scale Up Hub. It led to ETZ’s comprehensive support to the energy supply chain, including the ETZ Ltd Challenge Fund supporting over 50 supply chain companies to accelerate their plans for low carbon and green energy markets. It is projects like these, along with our support for skills and community activities, which reinforce the North East of Scotland's position as a global leader in energy excellence.

We are hugely grateful for The Wood Foundation’s landmark long-term investment of £20m which provides us the confidence and stability needed to continue positioning this region as an attractive location to invest in low carbon technologies. Critically, this support has enabled a match funding commitment from the Scottish Government to significantly enhance ETZ Ltd’s impact, helping to create and safeguard jobs and secure lasting economic benefit in North East Scotland for years to come.”

Explore other key partnerships

The Wood Foundation’s work with ETZ sits alongside other major partnerships supporting Scotland’s economy, education and communities.