More than 1,000 jobs could be created in Aberdeen when Great British Energy is headquartered in the city, according to its chairman.
Juergen Maier, who was recently appointed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, said the publicly-owned energy firm would initially bring hundreds of jobs to the region.
Last month, the UK Government finally confirmed Great British Energy would be based in Aberdeen - with satellite offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh - following a major campaign by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Maier laid out details of the publicly-owned energy firm as he made his first appearance before MPs at Westminster on Tuesday.
Asked about jobs, he said: “It would be in the hundreds, it may eventually be a 1,000 or more in the HQ.
All the key staff will be located there, including the chief executive of the firm, when they are appointed, according to Mr Maier.
“We might start with an interim chief executive that might not be located there but eventually that will be our plan”, Mr Maier added.
Reaction
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the ambition to create over 1,000 jobs.
Commenting, AGCC Chief Executive Russell Borthwick said: “The firms we represent – operators, supply chain and service sector which have supported the North Sea industry over many decades – are taking a keen interest in how GB Energy will work with them to accelerate renewables projects and give confidence to the sector through strong and informed leadership from government which has been sadly lacking over recent years.
“A government willing to remove the obstacles to transition by introducing pace, cutting red tape, greasing the wheels on planning and consenting for projects, while co-funding innovative projects will find willing partners in industry here ready to work with them."
Jobs fear
Mr Borthwick added: “Scotland’s energy capital remains nervous about the future while a Damoclean threat of an increased and extended windfall tax hangs over our heads. If no solution is found on a fair tax system, investment allowances and clarity of a successor regime, then existing energy projects will be left in limbo and the UK’s energy transition will stall.”
And it’s not just industry that is making these warnings.
Click here to watch a powerful film from the GMB telling the story of how wrong decisions now will affect thousands of working people, not just in the North-east of Scotland, but across the whole of the UK.
The GMB has a petition to secure the future of oil and gas, which you can sign here.