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Case Study

Economic Evaluation for Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) Ltd

This study identified how the energy transition supply chain in the North East of Scotland benefited from a comprehensive programme of support, managed and delivered by ETZ Ltd with funding from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund

PROJECT BACKGROUND

ETZ Ltd provided energy transition supply chain companies in the North East of Scotland with a four-year programme of support, consisting of awareness raising, market information, networking events, in-depth 1-2-1 programmes and a capital investment fund for energy transition projects.

A comprehensive evaluation was required to provide robust evidence about the impacts this support has had on the North East economy, to learn lessons from the delivery process, and to identify opportunities for improving support to the supply chain in the future.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Review the rationale for providing the support
Assess progress on meeting programme objectives and targets
Evaluate the economic impacts using the UK Treasury Green Book and Scottish Enterprise guidance
Assess how well the priorities of the Just Transition Fund were being met
Assess the demand from the supply chain and engagement, usage and satisfaction levels
Understand the effectiveness of management and delivery processes

Review the rationale for providing the support
Assess progress on meeting programme objectives and targets
Evaluate the economic impacts using the UK Treasury Green Book and Scottish Enterprise guidance
Assess how well the priorities of the Just Transition Fund were being met

Assess the demand from the supply chain and engagement, usage and satisfaction levels
Understand the effectiveness of management and delivery processes

OUR APPROACH

We combined an in-depth review and analysis of programme monitoring and evaluation data with over 70 interviews with supply chain companies, ETZ Ltd staff and programme delivery partners.

This enabled us to capture key insights into the success of the programme and how it could develop in the future.

Our experience of conducting economic impact assessments allowed us to model the jobs, turnover and Gross Value Added impacts in a way that was fully compliant with UK Treasury Green Book and Scottish Enterprise guidance.

DELIVERY TEAM

John Taylor
Senior Consultant
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Jordan Stodart
Senior Consultant
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Grace Crawford
Consultant
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Ed Leigh
Consultant
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External sub-contractor: CJM Research

OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS

The study delivered two main outputs:

  • A comprehensive report with high quality evidence and insights to address all the research objectives
  • A detailed Excel-based Economic Impact Assessment model containing all source data and assumptions

The study findings have supported ETZ Ltd in securing further funding to continue offering vital supply chain development support to help North East companies grow through energy transition opportunities. This demonstrates how robust programme evaluation and economic impact assessment can play a critical role in securing future funding by evidencing value for money, outcomes and wider economic benefits.

Find out more about the study here and get in touch if you’d like to discuss how we can help evaluate the economic impact of your company support programmes.

It has been a pleasure working with John and the team at Optimat. They bring a highly professional, evidence driven approach to their work. John took the time to genuinely listen to my views and ideas, and thoughtfully incorporated them into the methodology. The final output has been excellent. While our primary aim was to understand the success of the supply chain programme and its economic impact, the findings have also provided valuable insight into what is needed going forward and will support us in building a strong case for future funding.

Freda Miller (Senior Supply Chain Manager)
Energy Transition Zone

John Taylor

Senior Consultant

I’m John Taylor, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. Since joining the company in 2003, I have developed specialisms in sustainability and net zero related studies. This includes projecting future market demand scenarios, profiling regional supply chain capabilities, identifying and evaluating public sector support interventions and understanding future net zero skills needs across transport, built environment, energy transition, industrial decarbonisation and waste and the circular economy.

I am also one of the lead consultants for economic impact assessments and evaluation of challenge-fund programme and project applications. An experienced innovation due diligence assessor, I focus on reviewing R&D project applications with environmental outcomes. I like to work with good people in teams that deliver insights and outputs that clients value.

Prior to joining Optimat, I started a company to create online platforms to catalyse collaboration between companies and research organisations. Before this, I spent seven years working in the Scottish economic development network, supporting start-up and growing businesses, across all sectors, to develop business plans and access funding.

I have a BA(hons) in Business Economics and Marketing, an MSc in Entrepreneurial Studies and an MSc in Economic Management & Policy with Environmental Economics.

Jordan Stodart

Senior Consultant

I’m Jordan, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in digital and data technologies, especially novel and emerging fields such as AI, IoT, immersive tech, and quantum computing. I support the development of high-growth, high-innovation sectors by delivering studies that make a meaningful impact and help shape industries now and in the future.

I’m very passionate about helping industries navigate change by identifying challenges, uncovering opportunities and designing strategies that address both. This often involves leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

In recent years, I’ve built a strong understanding of the innovation landscape by mapping sector ecosystems, assessing R&D funding bids, contributing to European RD&I consortia, and ultimately delivering a wide range of sector studies in key growth sectors such as digital/data, low carbon and net zero, high value manufacturing, the built environment, and more.

Before joining Optimat, I co-founded a digital tech start-up, an experience that grounded me in the everyday realities of running a business. That perspective has been especially useful in an employee-owned company like Optimat, where everyone helps shape the direction of the business.

I hold an MA (Hons) English Literature and an MLitt (Masters) degree from the University of Glasgow, where I mentor students on the MSc FinTech programme. I also support Scotland’s future entrepreneurs through Young Enterprise’s Company Connect programme where I also provide mentorship.

Grace Crawford

Consultant

I’m Grace, a consultant at Optimat. With an engineering background, I specialise in low carbon and renewable technologies, from established to more emerging industries including offshore wind, solar, energy storage and heat decarbonisation.

During my time at Optimat, I’ve been a part of a range of projects, building experience inskills analyses, due diligence, industry landscaping and benchmarking. I’ve further developed strong data analysis and interpretation skills, including database design and complex data modelling, enabling me to build robust datasets and perform in-depth analyses, generatingvaluable insights and informing strategic recommendations.

I’m passionate about how policy and innovation shape the journey to net zero, how it affects industry, the supply chain and individual consumers, within an ever-changing landscape.While my specialism lies in sustainability, I’ve had the opportunity to apply my skills across a range of sectors such as aerospace, leadership development, and innovation ecosystems.

Prior to joining Optimat I worked as a project engineer in the low carbon heat and energy industry, working on several complex public and private sector projects. This gave me an on-the-ground insight into the decarbonisation of heat and energy across a range of industries and has allowed me to bring that perspective to my role as consultant, with an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by stakeholders and the supply chain in the journey to net zero.

I hold a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Glasgow, and an MSc with Distinction in Sustainable Engineering from the University of Strathclyde.

Ed Leigh

Consultant

I am Ed, a Consultant at Optimat. I’m passionate about turning complex climate and nature concepts into clear, actionable insights. My core expertise is around carbon appraisal and management, climate/social innovation development, and product supply chain mapping/market strategy.

I especially enjoy collaborating with clients and stakeholders to shape meaningful action, combining robust quantitative analysis with qualitative insight to create strategies grounded in clear problem definition. This approach has enabled me to build strong relationships and expand my technical understanding of emerging and novel technologies, while also identifying and mapping the skills required to address them effectively.

My work includes the management of greenhouse gases and the development of strategic pathways for reduction and removals in sectors including transport, CCUS, energy, and nature-based solutions. I have developed practical approaches to innovation support by developing implementation strategies for climate technologies and nature-based solutions, with a systems-wide perspective.

I have completed a BSc in Geography and an MSc in Global Strategy and Sustainability. I am passionate about applying systems approaches to develop tangible, logical steps to deliver a resilient, adaptation-based future.