GB Energy plan to focus on historical oil and gas areas

Great British Energy (GBE) says its investment aims to create at least 10,000 jobs over the next five years, with a focus on areas historically reliant on oil and gas.

Ministers have instructed a body set up by the UK government to invest billions to accelerate the transition to green energy.

It says it wants the transition to be seen as a “major economic opportunity of a lifetime” rather than a financial burden.

But there are concerns that the pace of job creation may struggle to keep pace with the number of roles being lost to fossil fuel sectors.

One study by Robert Gordon University estimates that the oil and gas industry is losing a thousand jobs every month, which will create a huge deficit as 10,000 jobs will be supported by GBE investment.

GBE is yet to officially confirm the future composition of its workforce in Aberdeen, but last month it emerged that only 15 people currently work there.

Establishing a headquarters in Aberdeen was a key commitment of the Labor Party during the 2024 general election campaign.

Headquarters space has yet to be secured and a staffing plan is being developed.

But its strategic plan, to be published on Thursday, commits Aberdeen to being its “corporate pillar” and that the “majority” of staff will be based there.

It also plans to explore the possibility of establishing “satellite” offices in other parts of Scotland.

The Strategic Plan sets GBE's priorities for the next five years.

By 2030, the company is committed to producing and storing at least 15 gigawatts of clean energy.

He also plans to create a “toolkit” to encourage greater public ownership of renewable generation projects, where profits or savings can be reinvested in local areas.

By supporting community energy projects and increasing public participation, he hopes to create 1,000 local jobs.

GBE chief executive Dan McGrail said: “We are proud to make public ownership work, attract investment, power communities, create jobs and build an energy system that benefits the UK.

“This strategic plan marks an important milestone in our mission to accelerate the development of clean energy and the industries that support it.”

The plan also details a target to invest enough public funds by 2030 to mobilize £15 billion of private finance over the long term.

He also wants to use public lands for wind and solar energy projects that would then generate income for communities.