Energy Development Centre targets small firms in Scotland

Based at the Aberdeen Science and Energy Park, the new Energy Development Centre will facilitate innovation, helping companies develop alternative energy sources to oil and gas.

The £4.4 million centre, financed by Scottish Enterprise, will specialise in helping small firms to turn their research into commercial success.

Melfort Campbell, chairman of Scottish Enterprise Grampian, said the centre will build on the "remarkable success story" of the region's oil and gas sector.

"There is a gap in the market […] for this size of accommodation, for small R&D businesses,” he said.

The new centre is at the heart of a project to create a leading cluster for energy technology development stretching over 30 miles.

Mr Campbell believes small firms can use the Energy Development Centre as a stepping stone to bigger opportunities created by the project.

“Scottish Enterprise is sharing the risk with industry in the hope that we will create a pipeline of companies that will take advantage of the new centre to grow and move onto bigger premises at the parks,” he said.

The first phase of building work on the centre is set for completion in November.

To further support the renewable energy sector, the centre will be powered by biomass and wind power.