Scotland’s energy supply chain is moving from oil and gas towards offshore wind, decommissioning and new technologies, and not every business moves at the same pace. A report covered by the Press and Journal warned that around 31,000 Scottish offshore energy jobs are under threat, so lenders look closely at contract cover and how diversified a business is.

The two Scottish Green Freeports, at the Firth of Forth and the Inverness and Cromarty Firth, offer tax and customs incentives for qualifying businesses on designated sites. The reliefs and their deadlines change, so check the current terms with your accountant. We arrange the finance.

What we can help finance

Machine shops and fabrication

CNC machines, fabrication and welding equipment, and workshop plant.

Lifting and heavy equipment

Mobile cranes, telehandlers and lifting equipment for yard and quayside work.

Workboats and marine support vessels

Fewer lenders finance vessels, and most require a survey, registration and insurance. Allow extra time.

Vehicles and plant for yard and decommissioning work

HGVs, plant and specialist vehicles under hire purchase or lease.

Workshop and quayside property

Commercial mortgages for owner-occupied workshops, yards and industrial units.

Contract-backed funding

Where you hold contracts with strong customers, lenders can sometimes structure facilities around them. Options depend on the case.

Tell us about your business

Tell us what you want to finance and a little about your business and contracts. We’ll come back to you with options. There is no obligation, and we don’t carry out a credit search at this initial stage.

Energy and engineering finance FAQs

Often, but fewer lenders do so and they usually require a survey, registration and insurance. The process can take longer than for other equipment.

The freeports offer tax and customs incentives for qualifying businesses on designated sites. The finance is arranged in the usual way, and your accountant advises on the reliefs.

Appetite varies a great deal. Lenders focus on contracts, diversification and the assets being financed, which is why matching the case to the right lender matters.

Sources

This page is general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Figures come from the published sources listed on this page and were correct when last reviewed. Lender availability, terms and criteria vary and are subject to status and underwriting.

Paul Thompson, trading as Acorn.finance, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 660207). Not all of the finance we arrange is regulated by the FCA.

Last reviewed: 11 November 2026

Finance for Energy Transition and Engineering Businesses in Scotland

Scotland’s energy economy in numbers

A sector in transition