While in the granite city, Kristyna O’Connell went to hear about the transition underway in Aberdeen from Laura Wilson of Aberdeen Convention Bureau.
Aberdeen is undergoing a significant transformation. As the global energy sector shifts towards renewable sources, the city is at the forefront of this transition, diversifying its economy and embracing new industries.
Laura Wilson from the Aberdeen Convention Bureau says the shift is “significant”, starting with companies that are increasingly focusing on renewable energy sources such as wind and carbon capture. ETZ Ltd is spearheading Northeast Scotland’s energy transition as a private, not-for-profit company with substantial backing from the Scottish and UK governments, positioning the region as a green energy cluster. Complementing this effort, the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), established with £180m from the Aberdeen City Region Deal, drives technological advancements for a net-zero North Sea through collaboration with industry, government, and academia.
Wilson also mentions The National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) which utilises the University of Aberdeen’s R&D expertise to revolutionise decommissioning in the energy sector, focusing on cost, emissions reductions, and environmental improvements across multiple energy sectors. The National Subsea Centre (NSC), a collaboration between Robert Gordon University and NZTC, excels in subsea research and technology, developing smart solutions for a sustainable net-zero energy transition.
Wilson adds that Aberdeen’s conference scene is evolving too, with a noticeable increase in conferences related to health sciences and renewable energy. Major upcoming events include Renewable UK’s offshore wind conference. Partnerships with local academic institutions like the University of Aberdeen make it easier to attract and host academic meetings. Team Aberdeen has confirmed eight conferences worth £4.7m in delegate spend since 1 April, 2024. Technology, agriculture, and food and drink are other strong sectors and the city has a vibrant tech industry, with 13% of the UK’s emerging tech companies based in Aberdeen. Further enhancing the region’s innovative landscape, ONE SeedPod, led by Opportunity Northeast (ONE), is set to elevate the food and drink sector and its sustainability, fostering low-carbon production at Scotland’s Rural College’s Craibstone campus.
As well as a change in perception around the city, on offer is also a variety of attractions, from the region’s stunning coastline and castles to cultural festivals The city hosted the award-winning Nuart Aberdeen festival, 6-9 June, 2024, themed ‘Living Heritage’. In July 2025, Aberdeen will welcome back the Tall Ships Races, an event set to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors. Also known for its prized Aberdeen Angus beef, traditional shortbread from Huntly, and Brewdog craft beer from Ellon, the region also offers a culinary experience enriched by fresh seafood from its 165-mile coastline and local delicacies like venison, game, and whisky crafted from clear springs and moorland peat.
This blend of nature and ingenuity delivers an unrivalled taste experience, says Wilson, making Aberdeen a prime location for both adventure and gastronomy. Aberdeen’s proactive approach in sustainability is evident in its infrastructure, such as hydrogen-powered buses and waste-to-energy initiatives. Other notable venues in the area include the Beach Ballroom, the Music Hall, and hotels like the Chester Hotel and Ardoe House.
