A summit bringing together leaders in carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen power hopes to turn “opportunity into delivery”.

Organised by trade body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), the meeting is due to take place in Edinburgh on Tuesday, with new energy minister Stephen Gethins to address delegates.

Mr Gethins said Scotland has “significant opportunities” in both areas.

Enrique Cornejo, the policy director at OEUK, said: “Carbon capture and storage and hydrogen can help cut emissions while keeping vital industries working here in the UK.

“The North Sea gives us a real advantage. We have the storage space, infrastructure, skills, and supply chain to lead the CCS market.

“With the right support, that can mean real projects, skilled jobs, and new investment for communities across Scotland and the wider UK.

“This summit is about bringing people together to turn that opportunity into delivery.”

While the minister, speaking ahead of his address to the summit, said: “I very much welcome the opportunity to attend this inaugural Summit as Scotland’s new energy minister so I can speak to key industry leaders, regulators and investors who are delivering the energy transition we know is crucial to Scotland’s future prosperity and security.

“Scotland has significant opportunities when it comes to carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and in hydrogen.

“These will be central to decarbonising our heat, industry and power sectors, reducing emissions, driving industrial development and sustainable fuel production, supporting economic growth, and enabling a just transition.”

The Scottish Government has also come under pressure from OEUK to publish its long-awaited energy strategy within the first 100 days of taking power.

Speaking to the Press and Journal on Monday, Mr Gethins was unable to give an assurance on when the strategy will be published.

CCUS in Scotland has had a troubled road in recent years, with the Acorn project in Aberdeenshire struggling to receive UK Government funding and a key backer pulling out of the initiative in December.