Global-leading transport operator FirstGroup aims to help Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) streer towards a greener future by reducing its carbon emissions.

Aberdeen-headquartered FirstGroup, which operates across the UK and North America, is one of 15 new members to join AREG this month.  The new additions bring the pioneering private-public partnership’s membership to a landmark 180 members – a significant rise of more than 30% within just 12 months.

Terry Vogt, FirstGroup’s head of corporate social responsibility, said: “Joining AREG brings about exhiting prospects which will further build on its activities in renewable transport.

“FirstGroup has a strong track record in trailing and implementing innovative carbon-friendly transport solutions and we remain determined to make our business, and in particular our vehicles, as environmentally efficient as possible.  We hope that through our association with AREG, we will help create new initiatives and projects that will further help reduce our carbon footprint.”

AREG aims to position the region as a global energy hub with a reputation for delivering renewable energy innovation.  Its membership accounts for the full range of renewable energy expertise from onshore and offshore wind, marine and hydro, bio, solar, geothermal energy and hydrogen and fuel cells.

Iain Todd, Aberdeen’s renewables champion, spoke of the significance behind a partnership with the transport operator.  He said:  “To meet our European targets for renewable energy, attention is increasingly turning towards the transport sector to make an important contribution.  Accounting for about a third of our energy use, the sector runs almost exclusively on fossil fuels at the moment.  That will change over time, and AREG looks forward to working with companies such as FirstGroup to help this to happen.”

Further new members to have joined the not-for-profit organisation AREG, which is actively working to ensure that Aberdeen City and Shire capitalises on the inventiveness and enterprise that has firmly established the region as the oil capital of Europe, are: Allomax Subsea, Hydrus Group, Invensys Operations Management, Leiths (Scotland) Ltd, Quartzelec Ltd, Reef Subsea UK Ltd, Search Consultancy Ltd, URS Scott Wilson ltd, Warren Ivers Electrical Services Ltd, Burnett & Reid, Ferguson Modular, Richard Irvin Sustable Energy, Safety & Technical Hydraulics Ltd and S.E.T.S. Ltd.

AREG is an independent company with its own Board of Directors and members who are committed to the development of renewables.  Members include oil and gas majors, technology developers, service, engineering, training, accreditation companies, four local authorities, development agencies and trade associations.