The UK is on a journey to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The energy sector plays a vital part in helping the country to make this transformational change, but to deliver on this ambition we need to build a Net Zero Energy Workforce. We caught up with Lisa to talk about her transition to a ‘greener’ job.
What was your previous role?
As Non-Ops Manager, I was based at Longannet Power Station and was responsible for the redundant sites where the power stations were located. There were 7 of these sites, including Longannet which played an important role in Scotland’s history as its largest coal station. However, the future can only be about clean energy and Scotland has been coal-free since ScottishPower closed the station in 2016. The demolition of what was once the largest power station in Europe marks a significant step in the UK’s transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy.
How has the industry changed since you started with ScottishPower?
We now only generate 100% green electricity through our wind and solar farms.
With our investments in renewables, ScottishPower is driving growth in these sectors, which will be transformative for Scotland over the next decade. Delivering further good, green jobs, strengthened energy security, and benefits for local communities as we decarbonise industry and society to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, in a way that leaves no one behind.
New technologies such as hydrogen, smart solutions and energy storage will also be required to achieve this.
What are you working on now?
Having now moved into the ScottishPower Hydrogen team, my role focuses on the development of these new green alternative fuels. Green hydrogen production at Whitelee is our flagship project, demonstrating how clean, zero-emission hydrogen can be produced and used at a commercial scale. Glasgow has ambitions to be the first city in the UK to achieve Net Zero by 2030 and green hydrogen being available by 2023 to support heavy industries and fleets to decarbonise in and around the city will be critical to this goal being achieved.