UK Energy Transition Alliance created to fast-track the road to net-zero

The Energy Transition Alliance (ETA), formed by The Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) have announced a collaboration which will accelerate the UK’s transition to a net zero future.

The companies will work together with the energy industry to deliver on the next generation of hydrogen production and floating offshore wind.

The Energy Transition Alliance aims to transform the energy sector in the UK, accelerating the transition to a net-zero future which will ensure a reliable and secure source of power for the country as well as a competitive energy technology sector.

 Andrew Jamieson, OREC Chief Executive, said: “Floating offshore wind in particular is an area of massive potential, and the oil and gas industry’s extensive experience of operating in the marine environment for many decades can be the enabler that ensures that the UK not only delivers a complete energy transition, but also a sustainable, world-leading green energy industry."

Jamieson continues by saying: “Innovation to meet the global demand for green energy technologies will ensure that we retain our world-leading position in offshore renewables, creating many thousands of jobs and significant economic growth.”

The ETA is calling on the energy industry to produce technologies which reduce the cost of power from shore while helping to eliminate offshore CO2e emission. This currently only accounts for two percent of the UK’s total CO2e emissions.

The ambitious programme includes five initial projects looking at renewable energy. This includes doing a UK offshore renewables supply chain deep dive study which will maximise the full potential of the UK supply chain in the production, installation and decommissioning of offshore renewables. An estimated 27,000 jobs will be created by 2030.

The ETA will also develop a commercially viable solution for the cost-effective recycling and reprocessing of wind turbine blades, which is expected to bring $1bn value to market.

Paul Wheelhouse, Scotland’s Energy Minister said: “this latest initiative, which will help deliver a forward looking, low-carbon recovery and diversify the energy sector’s workforce, is another step towards a greener, fairer and more equal society and economy.”

“The technologies supported by the Alliance will boost digitalisation and automation and accelerate North Sea decarbonisation,” said Wheelhouse. The projects will also help Scotland’s offshore wind projects.

UK Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “Collaboration across the energy sector will be essential to achieving our climate goals, and it is great to see the Energy Transition Alliance working towards developing new technologies, creating green jobs and helping the transition to a cleaner future.”

Source: climateaction.org