Great British Energy (GBE), the newly formed public energy company focused on advancing the UK’s clean energy transition, will hold its first board meeting today in Aberdeen.
Chairman Juergen Maier will bring together the leadership team in person for the first time, including interim CEO Dan McGrail and the Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks.
Top of the agenda is creating jobs, and Mr Maier has told Morning Bulletin he is “confident” that investments made by GBE will generate “tens of thousands of jobs” across the north and north-east of Scotland.
Speaking ahead of today’s meeting, which is essentially a shadow board meeting as the company is still awaiting Royal Assent for its formal establishment, Mr Maier said his team’s initial focus will be on the organisation’s governance and investment strategy.
Local jobs
He confirmed that several of the organisation’s early key hires, including its head of legal, head of people, and head of local power will be basing themselves in Aberdeen.
There has been media scrutiny regarding job creation within GBE itself, but Mr Maier made clear that its HQ will be "lean and efficient" and that the real job creation will happen at the project level.
“The debate about how long it will take to create 1,000 jobs in our HQ has been puzzling,” he said.
“You actually want your HQ organisation to be as lean and innovative and smart as possible, and you want to create as many jobs as possible in the Port of Nigg, or in Fraserburgh, or in the Port of Aberdeen, or in the various projects and supply chains.
“I'm uber optimistic that as a company, we will be creating literally tens of thousands of jobs in those areas.”
Investments
GBE will release more details on its investment strategy over the coming months, with a focus on projects that can create local jobs and contribute to the clean energy transition.
However, Mr Maier gave an early indication of the key criteria that will be used to guide its investment strategy.
He said: “Number one is investing in developments and projects that ultimately pave the way to us becoming that clean power company.
“Number two, is creating as many local jobs as possible. The projects we invest in must have a strategy to both create jobs in the projects themselves, and also in the supply chain.
“Another key criteria is clearly the pace at which it helps accelerate getting more clean power generated for the British people.”
Funding
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said GBE will be backed by £8.3 billion over the term of this Parliament.
He said: "We now have a fantastic team in place to lead Great British Energy and establish the company in Aberdeen.
"By unlocking homegrown clean power projects, Great British Energy will support thousands of well-paid jobs in Scotland and across the country, and deliver energy security for the British people.
"Today’s meeting of the new board members marks another step forward for the company as it gears up to make its first investments.
In addition to the board meeting, GBE will be launching its new website today, aimed at increasing transparency and providing a platform for industry engagement.
The website will allow businesses, innovators, and stakeholders in the energy sector to connect with the company and learn more about its plans for the future.