A University of Strathclyde professor has been appointed to lead a new national mission board aimed at accelerating circular economy action across Scotland’s energy infrastructure.
Launched at All-Energy in Glasgow, the Circular Energy Infrastructure Mission Board brings together senior leaders from industry, government and across the energy supply chain, at a critical point in the transition to net zero, to turn shared ambition into coordinated, practical action.
The board will be chaired by Professor Karen Turner, Director of the Centre for Energy Policy at Strathclyde, and includes representatives from organisations spanning ports, engineering, skills, standards, regulation and economic development.
Tackling barriers
The Circular Energy Infrastructure Mission Board will focus on tackling barriers, aligning priorities and accelerating circular practices across Scotland’s energy system – helping to unlock the value of materials already embedded in existing and planned infrastructure.
Scotland’s transition to net zero is driving rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure, with demand for materials set to increase significantly over the coming decades. At the same time, the UK remains heavily reliant on imports of critical raw materials, exposing supply chains to global competition and price volatility.
However, a substantial volume of valuable materials already exists within Scotland’s energy infrastructure – from wind farms to oil and gas assets approaching decommissioning. Recovering, reusing and remanufacturing these materials represents a major opportunity to reduce costs, cut emissions and strengthen economic resilience.
Circular approaches are already delivering impact. Across the UK, reusing and remanufacturing wind turbine components alone could generate £1.6 billion in economic value over the next decade while reducing costs and emissions.
The mission board has been established as a core intervention within the new Circular Energy Infrastructure Roadmap developed by Zero Waste Scotland. While aligned with the roadmap’s ambitions, the board will operate independently to translate strategy into delivery through collaboration across sectors.
Energy security
Professor Turner said: “I’m delighted that we are moving beyond debate to delivery of a more circular Scottish economy.
“Energy infrastructure lies at the heart of delivering a cleaner, more productive economy. Establishing a dedicated Circular Energy Infrastructure Mission Board to support delivery of an action-focused roadmap is an important step in achieving a net zero transition characterised by greater energy security, affordability and a more resource-efficient economy.
As an economist and energy policy researcher, I’m looking forward to leading this collaborative initiative and helping to deliver measurable, evidence-based change that supports a more resilient and prosperous future for Scotland.
Dr Jane Beasley, Zero Waste Scotland’s Circular Economy Delivery Director, said: “Today marks an important step for the future of Scotland’s circular economy as we enter a new age of action.
“The scale of our energy transition means we can no longer rely on a traditional, linear approach to materials. We need to get more value from what we already have, and we need to do it in a way that will strengthen our supply chains, support jobs, reduce our environmental impact, and boost our economy.
“This Mission Board brings together the organisations and expertise needed to make that happen, recognising that it cannot be done by any one organisation alone.”