£46bn of capital ‘in pipeline’ for North East of Scotland

Port of Aberdeen

More than £46 billion of investment is “in the pipeline” across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire over the next decade, according to Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC).

Details of the £46.3 billion investment pipeline were unveiled by AGCC on Thursday, marking the publication of the eighth edition of its Aberdeen City Region Investment Tracker.

The report identifies future projects spanning energy, digital technology, transport, housing, tourism, city centre regeneration, healthcare and education, while revealing that more than £10.1 billion of transformational projects tracked by the Chamber have already been completed since 2017, including the recent £5.5 million Skylark Brasserie at The Marcliffe.

Among the biggest investments in the pipeline are SSEN Transmission’s £8.6 billion programme across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and plans for a £6 billion AI data centre campus at Blackdog.

SSEN’s programme is expected to support 2,700 local jobs and generate an estimated £1.6 billion of spending with Aberdeenshire-based businesses, while the proposed Blackdog development could establish the North-east as an international hub for artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The Tracker also highlights the scale of continuing energy investment, including the £4.4 billion Ossian floating offshore wind farm and £3.51 billion MarramWind development, alongside the £1.6 billion Jackdaw gas project, £800 million Peterhead Carbon Capture Power Station and £600 million Kintore Hydrogen project.

Aside from energy, the pipeline includes the £3 billion commitment to dual the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness, almost £1 billion of investment linked to the North East Scotland Investment Zone, £323 million Aberdeen Rapid Transit proposals and the £300 million Fraserburgh Harbour masterplan.

Major regeneration projects are also planned across the region’s towns and city centre, including £53 million plans for an international food market at the Green, £43 million of improvements to Castlegate and Union Street East and £27 million of public realm improvements around Union Street Central.

Projects completed between February 2025 and August 2026 include the £2.5 billion Moray West Offshore Wind Farm, the £58 million first phase of Aberdeen Beach Park, the £40 million Boskalis Remote Operations Centre, £36 million Tillydrone Primary School and the £27 million ONE SeedPod food and drink innovation hub.

Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Anyone who thinks the North-east is a region in decline should look at these numbers. A future investment pipeline of more than £46 billion demonstrates the scale of the economic opportunity in front of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

“What is particularly exciting is the breadth of that investment. We have billions being committed to our energy infrastructure alongside potentially transformational investment in AI and digital technology, transport, housing, tourism and the regeneration of our city centre and towns.

“And this isn’t simply a list of ambitions on a page. More than £10 billion of projects tracked by the Chamber have already been completed since 2017, transforming our transport infrastructure, ports, energy sector, cultural attractions, education facilities and communities.

“The challenge now is to make sure we create the conditions which allow this £46 billion pipeline to become reality. That means competitive energy policy, better connectivity, faster planning and consenting and governments which recognise that backing Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is an investment in the future prosperity of the whole country.

“For a decade, our Investment Tracker has helped tell the real story of this region. This latest edition sends perhaps the strongest message yet: the North-east remains one of the most exciting places in the UK to live, work, invest and build a business.”

A spokesperson for Invest Aberdeen said: “A £46 billion investment pipeline is a powerful statement of confidence in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and demonstrates the scale of the opportunity ahead for our region.

“From major investment in energy and digital infrastructure to transport, housing, tourism and the regeneration of our city centre and towns, these projects have the potential to create thousands of jobs, attract new businesses and strengthen communities across the North-east.

“Our collective focus must now be on turning that pipeline into delivery and ensuring Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire remain among the most competitive and attractive places in the UK to live, work and invest.”

Kevin Binnie, corporate director at Balmoral Group, which supported the publication of the Investment Tracker, said: “Balmoral has been investing in Aberdeen and growing businesses here for more than four decades, so we know first-hand the strengths this region has to offer.

“Our own approach is based on patient capital, sustainable growth and responsible stewardship, and this Tracker demonstrates just how much confidence there continues to be in the long-term future of the North-east, which is why we are delighted to continue sponsoring it.”

“With more than £46 billion in the pipeline, there is a tremendous opportunity to grow businesses, create jobs and deliver a lasting positive impact for the communities around us.”