Business sustainability
Scotland's green energy opportunity
Scotland's green energy opportunity
The green energy sector will dominate Scotland’s supply chain in the next decade. We’re starting now. Using our skills, creativity, and knowledge, we can help you expand into the four areas crucial to Scottish economic growth — offshore wind, green heat, low emissions heavy duty vehicles and hydrogen. Get to grips with green energy and learn how to maximise its potential for your business.
Latest industry support and information
CAN DO Innovation Green Heat Feasibility Call
This call is aimed at teams developing a project that could reduce energy demand and streamline supply, installation, and operation of the heating supply chain. It supports ideas that will help Scotland address the decarbonisation of heat in over 1 million buildings by 2030.
Hydrogen expert support
We offer hydrogen expert support to companies that want to grow by moving into the emerging hydrogen sector. Our industry specialists can help your business, no matter its size or type. Get in touch if you're looking to grow and diversify your company in the low carbon energy field.
Making Scotland’s Future Conference
A highlight in Scotland’s manufacturing calendar, this year's event has a strong focus on green energy and the emerging manufacturing opportunities created by the adoption of offshore wind, hydrogen, green heat and zero emission heavy duty vehicles.
Recent reports on hydrogen in Scotland
Industrial Hydrogen Potential in Scotland
Discover how heavy industry could use hydrogen to decarbonise its energy-intensive processes, and which sectors are best suited to take advantage.
This recent study from Scottish Enterprise and Element Energy explains the most likely industrial offtakers, their location in Scotland, and the level of demand.
Learn more on the Evaluations Online website.
Hydrogen Demand Study - Scottish Transport
The transport industry is one of the earliest adopters of hydrogen in Scotland, but how likely is each of its sectors to adopt hydrogen as a low carbon fuel?
Read the findings from Scottish Enterprise and Ricardo’s recent study, which estimates and maps the potential demand for hydrogen in Scotland up until 2045.
Learn more on the Evaluations Online website.
Hydrogen for Scottish Distilleries
Scotch whisky distilleries have ambitions to become more sustainable – and hydrogen is one way they can do this.
This recent study from Scottish Enterprise and Ricardo helps to demystify the types of hydrogen projects distilleries may consider, their requirements and costs.
Learn more on the Evaluations Online website.
Scottish hydrogen production – sites and opportunities
There's potential to produce green hydrogen all across Scotland.
Findings in this study by Ironside Farrah, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), highlight a range of sites where land, power, and water requirements make the production of green hydrogen a possibility.
Learn more on the Evaluations Online website.
Scottish green energy sector: four focus areas
Scotland's aiming to develop 5GW of hydrogen capacity by 2030. The hydrogen economy give us the opportunity to develop Scotland’s capacity to produce, distribute, store, use and export hydrogen.
The global transition to hydrogen fuel makes this a lucrative and innovative sector — we're showing Scottish companies the way.
Hydrogen projects
Scotland’s hydrogen project pipeline is growing, supported by existing energy generation and infrastructure assets.
See our map of Scotland's hydrogen assets to visualise where hydrogen production, distribution and usage could take place.
Hydrogen expert support
We offer hydrogen expert support to companies that want to grow by moving into the emerging hydrogen sector. Our industry specialists can offer support for your business, no matter its size or type.
Find out more about hydrogen expert support
Events and overseas trade missions
Hydrogen Technology Conference and Expo, 28 - 29 June 2023 — North America’s must-attend hydrogen technology exhibition.
Sector and market opportunities
There are significant opportunities for any company that can contribute to making the large-scale production of green H2 more affordable.
Learn about international hydrogen opportunities
Offshore wind puts us in a strong position to be a world leader in green energy thanks to Scotland’s long-standing links to the oil and gas industry.
Existing expertise can be applied to offshore wind in fields such as surveying, installation, operations, maintenance, and health and safety.
Market opportunities in offshore wind
Our market plans explain the background, scale and scope of the opportunity in offshore wind, the types of companies that are eligible, and – if you meet the criteria – what you need to do next.
Check out international opportunities in:
Overseas trade missions — offshore wind
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines 2023 — the world's largest offshore wind event for networking and learning opportunities in Nantes, France
Learn more about Floating Offshore Wind Turbines 2023
Offshore Europe 23 — Europe’s largest exhibition for energy and low carbon with a focus on transitioning from oil and gas to renewable opportunities.
Getting into green heat offers big opportunities for your business, given Scotland’s 2045 net zero targets,
Heat accounts for 51% of Scotland’s demand and, moving forward, all homes and buildings must have significantly reduced energy use with the majority using a zero-emissions heating system. This can provide the perfect opportunity for your company to grow through retraining your staff and redeveloping your offering.
Funding and grants
CAN DO Innovation Green Heat Feasibility Call
We want to support innovators across the value chain. We’re looking for solutions that can reduce energy demand and streamline supply, installation, and operation across the full range of associated technologies.
Green Heat Innovation Support Programme (GHISP)
The £17.6 million GHISP supports innovation and capital investment that will accelerate the roll out and adoption of green heating solutions and associated products.
More about the GHISP programme
Green heat business guide
Read our report on Decarbonising heat: low carbon heat opportunities
Case study
Learn how Glasgow-based confectioner Aldomak is cutting energy costs.
Read the full story on Aldomak
Scotland’s transport accounts for 24% of final energy demand and road transport makes up nearly 75% emissions.
So, HDVs offer an exciting area for companies to innovate, develop new solutions and services across the complete vehicle supply chain – from design and development through to production and maintenance.
Success stories
Scottish company Emergency One is rolling out zero emission emergency vehicles with our help.
Learn about Emergency One's journey
We supported global bus manufacturer, Alexander Dennis, to develop and roll-out a 100-seat Enviro400XLB double-decker bus.
Read about how we helped Alexander Dennis
More on business sustainability
If you'd like to learn about specific areas of business sustainability, read our useful guides.
Learn about developing an effective low carbon strategy
Learn how sustainability-driven innovation boosts profits and resilience
Read our guide on calculating a carbon footprint for your business
Learn about building a sustainable supply chain
Discover green energy funding
You can also check out our Funding and Grants page for information on open and upcoming calls.
Stay informed about green energy
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Got a question?
Our specialists are on hand to answer your questions about green energy opportunities.