OEUK: GB Energy must build on Aberdeen’s industrial strengths – Scottish Business News

Offshore Energies UK, the leading trade body welcomes the announcement that GB Energy will be located in Aberdeen. The city has been Europe’s energy capital for the last fifty years and with the right energy policies in place to back firms and their workers, it can continue to spearhead the UK’s homegrown energy transition. 

OEUK says listening to industry’s experts and building partnerships will be key to determining GB Energy’s success. The UK’s transition to cleaner energy is not only the biggest engineering project the UK has seen since the Second World War. It is also the biggest financial undertaking.

The government’s Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) says net zero will cost the UK £1.4 trillion, and that the lion’s share must come from business.  

The new government now needs partnerships with industry to put plans into action, unlock investment and kickstart economic growth.  

While welcoming the announcement, OEUK reinforced its continued concerns over plans by the UK government to increase and extend the Energy Profits Levy.

OEUK and its members work closely with policymakers of all parties to champion the UK’s energy security and low carbon future.

 David Whitehouse, CEO Offshore Energies UK comments: “Aberdeen is an energy powerhouse and home to brilliant British engineering.

“It must and should be part of the UK’s energy future. The people of this city are rightly proud of their energy heritage and it’s imperative GB Energy helps to safeguard their jobs and build on their world class expertise to benefit the whole UK.  

“Where GB Energy is located is important but what really matters is what is does. Success will be built on partnerships with industry unlocking the private sector investment needed to achieve the homegrown energy transition and economic growth we all want.

“This means listening to expert people across our sector, backing our supply chains and safeguarding the jobs of thousands of skilled workers across the UK.  

“But I remain concerned the new government’s tax changes will have profound consequences for this sector and its people. The new government committed to safeguarding jobs in its manifesto and must listen to those working in the sector. 

“Today’s announcement is welcomed, but it will do little to alleviate the very real concerns of the impact the government’s tax proposals will have on thousands of jobs and billions of pounds in future economic value.

“I am asking the government to choose a homegrown energy transition that makes the most of our people and businesses. The alternative is importing ever more energy, skills and infrastructure and subtracting value from our economy.”