When the Chamber published its 39th Energy Transition report in May this year we made it clear that the incoming UK Government had 100 days to save 100,000 jobs in the sector.
We are now more than halfway through those 100 days and, if anything, future prospects for the industry are as bleak as at any point in the last five decades.
Our next report, Energy Transition 40, will play a vital role in helping shape our policy recommendations ahead of the new Chancellor's first budget announcement on October 30.
Today, that survey goes live. We are asking all companies in the region that operate in the energy sector to take part by clicking on this link: https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90740763/Energy-Transition-40.
Sharing your views should take around 15-20 minutes and the deadline for completion is Friday, September 27. However, we will be taking a headline snapshot of key indicators from early survey responses to include in our Budget submission so your help in responding by September 6 is hugely appreciated.
Speaking at the survey launch, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Russell Borthwick said: "This project has been tracking industry sentiment and trends since 2004 but never before have the results been more important, taking place in the aftermath of a General Election with the future of our domestic energy system and sector very much in the spotlight.
"Over 20 years, the report has become established as a vital source of industry intelligence for businesses, policy makers and the media and your feedback will be instrumental in ensuring that the industry's voice is heard, enabling us to set out the practical challenges faced by the sector and ensure the necessary policy interventions are put in place.
"The Chamber has been active and visible in its support for our world class energy sector and our extensive engagement with politicians of all colours has focused on the huge economic damage that will be done to communities across the UK but with the brunt of this being in the North-east of Scotland.
"To enable us to do this effectively, we need the evidence of what is happening now and is likely to happen in the future to back up our arguments. And this includes our submission to the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2024."
We will again be offering entry into a charity prize draw to everyone that participates and once we receive over 100 survey responses, two respondents will be given £100 to donate to a good cause of their choice. Charlie House and RNLI were the recipients from the previous survey.
Thank you- in anticipation- for helping us to better understand your activities, plans and views on the UK energy sector through a North-east of Scotland lens. Without your engagement, the Chamber could not do the work it does supporting businesses and helping create the economic conditions for the future success of our region.