10th January 2023
Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, visited PNDC today as she announced a new draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan for Scotland.
Coinciding with PNDC’s 10th anniversary and celebrating a decade of innovation throughout 2023, Nicola Sturgeon outlined plans to accelerate the delivery of a net zero energy system that supplies affordable, resilient and clean energy to Scotland’s workers, households, communities and businesses.
The First Minister was given a tour of PNDC, which included exhibits from several of our members and project partners, demonstrating innovation’s critical role in supporting the supply chain to support an integrated net zero energy system.
“Now in our tenth year, 2023 will be a year of full-throttle innovation for PNDC. We are continuing to build on our significant experience in power systems to advance and de-risk the development of novel, low-carbon energy and transport technologies, with a considerable focus on whole system and digital solutions.
Collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, we are creating exciting new opportunities for the supply chain through our proven track record and evolving capabilities. We are grateful for the support from the Scottish Government as we collectively work towards delivering a just transition to net zero.”
Following the First Minister’s visit to PNDC, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson’s statement in the Scottish Parliament set out significant opportunities for Scotland in transforming its energy system. Michael Matheson outlined Scotland’s 2045 vision, in which there will be a “climate-friendly energy system that delivers affordable, resilient and clean energy supplies for Scotland’s households, communities and business”.
The Cabinet Secretary states that the Scottish Government cannot deliver the vision alone.
The draft Strategy closely aligns with PNDC’s focus areas, accelerating the commercialisation of innovative systems and technologies across the electricity, heat and transport sectors.
Delivering a just transition to net zero within the 2045 timescale has increased the urgency to deploy new low carbon energy solutions, particularly in the heat and transport sectors where much more aggressive intervention is required. Furthermore, the electrification of the aerospace and maritime sectors introduces additional opportunities for innovative electrical and whole-system solutions.
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Since its opening in 2013, PNDC’s facility in Wardpark Glasgow has grown into a world-class innovation and demonstration facility with around 50 staff and has successfully delivered over 270 innovation projects. And as one of the University of Strathclyde’s industry-facing innovation centres, PNDC engages with the innovation ecosystem through tailored collaboration models and provides open access to our technical expertise and facilities.
PNDC supports the positioning of Scottish companies to develop market-leading products and services by providing an industry-scale test bed which provides investors with the evidence base they require for large-scale renewable deployment.
Below is a selection of photos from the First Minister’s visit to PNDC. Click on any thumbnail to view the full-size version:
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