A new Scottish energy transition hub will be launched in Abu Dhabi, the centre of UAE’s energy sector. The hub will support Scottish companies working in the clean energy sector and provide them with direct access to the substantial United Arab Emirates (UAE) market.

The hub is the second phase of a dedicated programme delivered by Scottish Enterprise that aims to generate additional international export sales.

Businesses will be able to use the hub as their UAE base for 12 to 18 months and will have access to advice and support on setting up, mentoring and coaching on the local business environment, funding advice and sources, and practical advice on doing business in UAE.

 They will also be supported by Scottish Enterprise’s international team and in-market specialists.

Details of what the hub will comprise, where it will be sited, which UAE partners it will work with, and when it will open are currently being finalised. In its first year, the hub will be home to five to 10 Scottish companies entering the UAE market for the first time with their products and services that support global energy transition.

Another advantage of the hub will be the companies’ direct engagement with key UAE organisations at the forefront of delivering the energy transition, as well as important local stakeholders such as government departments, business support agencies, supply chain partners and potential investors.

This news comes during a visit to the UAE by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Adrian Gillespie, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s national economic development agency. They will hold a series of engagements during the visit to boost trade between the two nations.

The first phase of the Scottish Enterprise programme took place in Scotland, where 12 Scottish companies worked with UAE and Scottish business experts to explore regulatory requirements and business culture, plus development of a market entry strategy and execution plan as well as trial pitching sessions.

Seven of these companies – Apollo Engineering Consultants Limited, Aqualution Systems Ltd, Cygnas Solutions Ltd, Dundas Consultants, Peterson (United Kingdom) Limited, Precision Impulse, and TenzorGEO Ltd, form the trade delegation that is accompanying the Deputy First Minister and Adrian Gillespie to UAE as part of the inaugural UAE Scotland Week taking place from 14 to 17 April.

Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Adrian Gillespie (pictured above) said: “This innovative approach will help ambitious Scottish companies take their first steps in the UAE. We’re intentionally locating the hub in Abu Dhabi to be near businesses at the forefront of UAE’s energy transition, such as Masdar, ADNOC and TAQA.

Helping Scottish companies identify new opportunities and partnerships outside of Scotland is vital to our future economic success. It’s been a productive visit so far with our companies making incredibly useful connections that will help them further develop a strong presence in UAE when the Scottish energy transition hub opens.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Scotland’s unique strengths, expertise and innovation in clean energy are recognised around the world. From offshore wind to hydrogen to energy storage, Scottish businesses are at the vanguard of many of the technologies that will support the global energy transition and our future energy security for decades to come.

The UAE Energy Hub presents Scottish businesses with an excellent opportunity to capitalise on this position and develop the partnerships, the collaborations and the investment opportunities that are ready to be unlocked.”

The UAE is a leading global trade hub and key target market for Scottish companies with the value of goods exported from Scotland worth £548 million in 2023.