Scottish News
Aberdeen is Building its Reputation as a Hub for the Renewable Energy Sector in Europe
By Dan Smith, director in the business space office agency team and head of Savills Aberdeen
Aberdeen’s reputation in the renewable energy sector is growing fast, with significant planned investment over the next five years and a highly skilled workforce ready to be tapped.
In March, the UK government, pledged £27 million to the Aberdeen Energy Transition Zone and £6.3 million to the Global Underwater Hub. These initiatives are seen as the first stage in delivering the North Sea Transition Deal and they demonstrate an acknowledgement from UK Government of the key role Aberdeen and North East Scotland has to play in the UK’s Energy Transition.
The proposed Energy Transition Zone in Aberdeen aims to create a physical place for
research and development, test and demonstration and manufacturing activities in an exemplar net zero environment.
Furthermore, in Aberdeen the Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air sector
is forecast to see an employment reduction of 9.4% over the next ten years, which will create a significant availability of highly skilled workers in Aberdeen. This highly skilled workforce and Aberdeen’s strong reputation in the energy sector is acting as a significant pull factor for occupiers within the renewable sector.
Last year, Aberdeen was selected as home for the world’s
global reach and first offshore
floating facility to produce green hydrogen – demonstrating the city’s
significant
technical expertise. The pioneering Dolphyn project allows the UK to harness the power of the superfuel using floating wind turbines. Developer Environmental Resources Management (ERM) stated the city’s ongoing hydrogen efforts and the new £350m South Harbour expansion as key factors in its decision to locate in Aberdeen.
For Aberdeen to continue attracting occupiers within the renewable sector its offices need to be equally environmentally conscious. Two key
sustainable offices that are currently available in Aberdeen are 1 and 2 Marischal Square. Constructed in 2017 the whole development was planned with the environment in mind and both offices were awarded both BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings upon their completion.
There are also plans to refurbish BP’s North Sea headquarters when the energy giant vacates in December 2022. The 210,000 sq ft office complex, owned by LaSalle Investment Management, will receive a multimillion-pound refurbishment aimed at repositioning the building as a market-leading sustainable office campus and an “exemplar for
Aberdeen’s future”.
The repurposing of Wellheads Avenue will provide the market with a best in class office campus which befits the city’s global aspirations and supporting Aberdeen on its path to becoming Europe’s leading renewable energy sector hub.
sustainable energy
Savills and Knight Frank Appointed as Joint Agents for Aberdeen’s Largest Innovative Office Project
the heart of the refurbishment and LaSalle and their agents aim to cater for post pandemic changes in attitude to the workplace.
All the amenities on offer are currently being explored with a focus on innovation and market-leading best practice in sustainability. The building is expected to feature smart technologies including those which reduce touch points, a state-of-the-art digital app system, an electric car share initiative, electric car charging points, bike racks, and a fully equipped modern gym, as well as much improved use of the outdoor green spaces; plus excellent food and beverage facilities.
20210519_Savills_Knight_Frank_026.jpg
LaSalle Investment Management has appointed Savills and Knight Frank to jointly market one of Aberdeen’s largest and most ambitious office projects. Wellheads Avenue in Dyce, located approximately seven miles north of Aberdeen city centre is to benefit from a multi- million-pound refurbishment, with the intention of making it an exemplar for Aberdeen’s sustainable energy future.
Currently occupied by energy giant bp, the Grade A office building at Wellheads Avenue spans 210,000sqft across seven wings and a full height central atrium. The building will be renamed, removing any affiliation to its previous occupier and repositioned to become a market-leading campus that will capture the interest of a wide array of organisations.
With the emphasis on the highest sustainability and environmental standards, the project aims to offer tenants the ability to meet their net-zero aspirations. Sustainability, flexibility and wellbeing will be at
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2021
Dan Smith, director at Savills said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be appointed as agents at Wellheads Avenue, which is one of the most exciting office projects in Scotland. The aim is to create a building which will embody the future of office space in a post-Covid, net- zero world; namely the highest standards of energy efficiency and sustainability, provided in fully flexible office space designed with health and wellbeing for both workers and for the environment in mind.”
Associate at Knight Frank, Matthew Park added: “This instruction is one of the largest and most exciting in Aberdeen and our team of local, national and international experts are eager to get started on marketing the vision to companies looking for excellence in sustainability and flexibility which will offer their current and future workforces much more than just a place to work”. The redevelopment is to commence once bp vacates in December 2022.
For more details please visit
www.savils.com 17
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