Business leaders across the North-east of Scotland have welcomed the news that Great British Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen.
Energy industry veteran Sir Ian Wood, Chairman of the Aberdeen's Energy Transition Zone, said the region was ready to "play its part" in making the new company a success.
“It is hugely welcome that GB Energy is to be headquartered in Aberdeen," he said.
"The case for locating the company in the North-east of Scotland, as the Prime Minister said, is irresistible given it is home to the largest cluster of energy supply chain companies in the UK and in close proximity to a massive pipeline of renewable projects spanning offshore wind, green hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.
"It is now essential that industry works closely with the UK Government to design GB Energy, ensuring it fulfils its stated ambition as an investment vehicle that accelerates the country’s diversification to green energies.
"ETZ Ltd have a proven track record of working positively with this region’s supply chain as well as developers of the vast array of transformational renewable projects on our doorstep - we stand ready to play our part in making GB Energy a success.”
The decision was also given a warm welcome by the Port of Aberdeen, which was at the Labour Conference and participated in a roundtable discussion with Maritime Minister Mike Kane MP
Bob
Sanguinetti, CEO at Port of Aberdeen, said: “Aberdeen is the natural home for GB
Energy and we are delighted with today’s announcement. Port of Aberdeen has a
clear ambition to establish itself as a national hub for offshore wind,
supporting the UK Government’s mission to reach net zero by 2050 and to deploy
offshore wind at pace over the coming years.
"Continued partnership with the UK
Government, Scottish Government and industry is essential to achieve this
generational opportunity.
“The
North-east of Scotland is a world leader in oil and gas and the transition to
clean energies must be carefully managed to mitigate the economic and jobs
risks."
Professor John Underhill, director of the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Energy Transition, added: “This is fantastic news for the Aberdeen city region, the natural home for GB Energy providing as it does a wealth of knowledge and experience, a world-leading technical, commercial and academic skills base, and the expert supply chain honed over 50 years as Europe’s energy capital that is vital for delivering the energy transition.
"The University of Aberdeen and our Centre for Energy Transition stand ready to support GB Energy's quest to accelerate the transition. We, as part of a wider academic ecosystem including RGU and NesCol, have been on this journey with the industry and have a long history of delivering interdisciplinary research and innovative solutions that address current and future energy challenges."
Neil Gordon, chief executive of Global Underwater Hub (GUH), said: "This decision underscores the crucial role North-east Scotland continues to play as a global leader in energy innovation and expertise. As the UK moves towards a net-zero future, it is crucial that we harness the extensive experience of the subsea and underwater engineering sectors to drive forward a sustainable energy transition.
Jean Morrison, chair of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), said: “Today’s decision will help secure much needed investment for the sector, bringing forth exciting new opportunities for the city and crucially creating job security for the knowledgeable and skilled workers in Aberdeen’s energy industry as we work to meet net zero targets."
She added: “With increasing support being awarded to North-east renewable energy projects, many of which involve AREG members, Aberdeen can enhance its position as a supply chain hub and become a true energy transition powerhouse.”