Support for North-east Scotland Green Freeport bid is reiterated
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Gordon MP Richard Thomson has reiterated his strong backing for the north-east’s bid to secure Green Freeport status encompassing the Port of Aberdeen, Peterhead Port and Aberdeen International Airport.
As the campaign enters its final stages the North-east Scotland Green Freeport has received major backing from senior business leaders and cross-party support.
The North-east Scotland Green Freeport consortium – led by the Port of Aberdeen, Peterhead Port Authority, Aberdeen International Airport, and the region’s two local authorities – has vowed to use the designation to place the area at the heart of the global energy transition.
Mr Thomson said: “Final analysis of the economic benefit of the bid found that up to 32,000 highly-skilled jobs will be created and Gross Added Value (GVA) income will be boosted by £8.5 billion over the next 10 years if the region becomes one of two areas in Scotland to be granted transformational green freeport status.
“The status will lead to the north-east becoming the Net Zero Capital of Europe through the development of pioneering carbon-free technologies – a move which will also help regenerate and transform local communities and provide opportunities for those who need them most.
"I have seen the NESGF Jobs Plan which is designed to support employers in the zone to attract local talent and commitment to Fair Working Principles and the Scottish Living Wage.
“The bid will bring large-scale, advanced manufacturing to Aberdeen to maximise economic benefit from Scotland’s rapidly-growing offshore wind and hydrogen sectors and accelerate pioneering carbon capture projects on the Buchan coast.”
