Humza Yousaf, First Minister of Scotland, was at Offshore Energies UK’s offices in Aberdeen on Feb 15 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.'
David Whitehouse, Offshore Energies UK CEO, said:
'We thank the First Minister for coming here today and listening to real people from our industry speak about the practical opportunities and challenges of investing in our low carbon energy future.
'Offshore Energies UK is proud to bring people together to tackle these issues and find solutions that benefit our people and their communities. We need to make Scotland and the UK an irresistible place to do energy business.
'Every political party is looking to unlock growth in the economy, and offshore energy with investment in oil and gas, alongside wind, carbon storage, and hydrogen is undoubtedly the best opportunity for Scotland and the wider UK. Meeting more of our needs from homegrown energy produced in the UK means jobs, economic growth, and secure and affordable energy. In a big year for UK and Scottish politics, our message is simple; choose homegrown energy.'
The session showed the First Minister that the offshore energies industry is a reliable and responsible partner to government. It is serious about the energy transition and today’s North Sea is changing to get to net zero and take global opportunities. Offshore energy, in particular its supply chain, is increasingly integrated and the workforce and skills are highly transferable.
The below list of attendees was developed between OEUK and the First Minister:
Dave Whitehouse, OEUK
Bob Sanguinetti, Port of Aberdeen
Doris Reiter, BP
Erik Ronsberg, Stena Drilling
Martin Simmonite, Wood
Toru Fujishiro, Flotation Energy
Nicolas Payer, TotalEnergies
Scott Barr, Harbour Energy
Steve Wisely, Subsea 7
Simon Roddy, Shell
Source: OEUK
