Humza Yousuf, First Minister of Scotland, was at Offshore Energies UK’s offices in Aberdeen on Monday to meet some of its members. He listened to their hopes for an energy transition that makes the most of Scotland and the UK’s oil and gas industry and skilled workforce to build a low carbon future.
The visit came at the start of a General Election year for Westminster, but also ahead of the publication of the Scottish Government’s final Energy and Just Transition Strategy.
The meeting was an opportunity for the offshore energy industry to explain to the First Minister why policymakers need to choose a homegrown energy transition to benefit families across the UK, drive economic growth and build a low carbon future.
OEUK has identified £200 billion of private investment in energy infrastructure that could be unlocked by the end of this decade, if business conditions improve.
Humza Yousaf, First Minister of Scotland said:
'Through our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, we have set out a clear pathway to delivering on global climate change commitments while capitalising on the enormous opportunities offered by becoming a net zero economy.
'I fully appreciate just how important the North East is for our energy sector and how important the sector is for Scotland’s transition to net zero. That is why I value opportunities like this to discuss with industry the detail of their planning to help deliver that transition in a way that is fair and just.
'It is only by working together that the Scottish Government and industry can redefine the role of a global energy hub and ensure that offshore energy continues to be an attractive career for the current workforce and next generation of engineers and innovators.'
Source: OEUK
