Energetica has appointed a new Development Manager to oversee its project, Aberdeenshire Council has announced.

Energetica is a 25-year programme which aims to create a low-carbon, sustainable development corridor that will attract both energy organisations and individuals to a natural and built coastal environment.

James Welsh, from Aberdeenshire Council's Planning and Building Standards Service, has been appointed to the role. Previously, Mr Welsh worked as Project Co-ordinator for the council and also worked as Senior Planning Consultant at Halliday Fraser Munro.

It is the first time a dedicated management role has been created for the project. It will focus on delivering the scheme's ambitions and priorities, outlined in the Energetica Strategic Delivery Framework.

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Energetica covers a 30-mile area from the north of Aberdeen to Peterhead and has the potential to create hundreds of jobs and £500m of additional annual GVA. In its first five years of operation, it has attracted £260m of a potential £750m investment.

Welsh said: "This is a great opportunity to take the lead in an innovative and ambitious project which will help to boost the economy of the north-east of Scotland.

"I am looking forward to taking the lead with the Energetica programme and working over the next two years to fulfil the project's aims and encourage greater investment and skills into the north-east of Scotland."

Derek McCrindle, Energetica Programme Director, added: "This is an exciting development for the Energetica programme and one which will help drive the project forward over the next two years.

"There are many exciting developments taking place or planned along the Energetica corridor. This new post will help us to support these projects and encourage greater investment into the corridor."

The programme is a partnership between Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Enterprise.

(JP/IT)