Great British Energy (GB Energy), the UK’s publicly-owned clean energy investment company, is poised to inject £1.7 million into the fit-out of its new Aberdeen headquarters at Marischal Square.
Established by the Great British Energy Act 2025 and backed by up to £8.3 billion in parliamentary funding, GB Energy’s mandate is to accelerate the UK’s transition to clean power, investing in renewable generation and energy storage projects. The company aims to create over 10,000 jobs nationwide, with around 300 expected to be based at its Aberdeen hub.
Aberdeen City Council have said: “The building with be leased and managed by the Government Property Agency (GPA), which oversees the UK government’s office estate.”
GB Energy will occupy over 8,400 square feet on the fifth floor of the Marischal Square development, a modern mixed-use complex completed in 2017. Known for its Grade A office space and high environmental ratings, Marischal Square has been home to various tenants since its completion, including major professional services firms and energy companies.
Marischal Square has been described by Aberdeen City Council as “state-of-the-art” with “one of the best BREEAM and EPC ratings of any office building in Aberdeen with sustainability features and technology embedded throughout”.
However, the proposed £1.7 million investment for internal alterations to a space within a relatively new, high-specification building has drawn attention.
Planning documents reveal the funds are earmarked for creating a new reception, meeting rooms, and undertaking mechanical and electrical works.
Industry benchmarks for office fit-outs in the UK typically range from £58 per square foot for low specification to over £100-190 per square foot for high-end finishes.
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Based on GB Energy’s stated occupancy of over 8,400 sq ft, the £1.7 million refurbishment cost equates to approximately £202 per square foot, placing it at the upper echelons of a high-specification fit-out. This figure is noteworthy given the building’s already modern infrastructure and recent construction, suggesting either extensive structural reconfiguration or a remarkably luxurious finish for a publicly-funded entity.
Aberdeen City Council leaders have welcomed GB Energy’s arrival, anticipating a boost to the local economy and the region’s energy sector.
GB Energy declined to comment on the specifics of the refurbishment costs during the ongoing election period.
