CONSERVATIVE leadership favourite Liz Truss will visit Aberdeen today, with just three weeks remaining until it is revealed whether she will be the next UK Prime Minister.
Ahead of her visit, a Scotland-wide poll commissioned by True North, a newly-formed strategic advisory firm, has shown confidence in the future of the energy industry.
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86% of respondents to the poll believe that the UK and Scottish Governments, in conjunction with the energy sector, should be taking the lead in investing in energy transition — with renewed calls today for the North East to be awarded Green Freeport status by governments to unlock vast potential in terms of jobs and investment.
Nearly 60% of people support future licenses for extracting oil and gas as we move to net zero, allowing for a managed energy transition which protects jobs and grows capacity in low carbon industries.
People across Scotland hold the energy sector in high regard, with 63% agreeing that it has a positive impact on the Scottish and UK economy, with just 11% believing that it has a negative impact.
Given ongoing energy security challenges, some 85% of respondents believe that the UK should meet its demands for oil and gas produced in this country rather than relying upon imports from overseas.
The findings have been welcomed by Sir Ian Wood, Chairman of ETZ Ltd and by Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Commenting, True North Managing Partner Fergus Mutch said:
“Among the very top priorities for the next Prime Minister will be delivering energy security, investing at scale in renewables and ensuring that Scotland and the UK are world-leaders in the low-carbon revolution.”
“The Scottish public has massive confidence in the North East energy sector, and the positive impact it makes upon the Scottish and UK economies. They are acutely mindful of the global circumstances which make it ever-so-important that our domestic oil and gas requirements are met from the North Sea during the transition.”
“Liz Truss will hear first-hand about the innovation ongoing in this region and the huge potential for the North East of Scotland to lead the way and to become Europe’s Net Zero Energy Capital.”
“By awarding Green Freeport status to Aberdeen and Peterhead, the next Prime Minister can ensure their government seizes a huge opportunity”.
Sir Ian Wood said:
“The poll evidences welcome recognition for the great contribution the oil and gas industry continues to make to both the Scottish and UK economies.”
“The key task we are now embarked on is to harness the skills, infrastructure and financial capital of this world-class sector to accelerate the transition to new and green energies.”
“By backing the North East Green Freeport the UK Government will be doing precisely this and supporting this region’s ambition to reposition itself as the Net Zero Energy Capital of Europe.”
Ryan Crighton, Director of Policy at Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said:
“These new figures confirm that investment in energy transition must be a joint venture between government and industry — working to the same end goal, enabling new innovation and breaking down barriers to doing business.”
“All reasonable voices know that oil and gas will be part of our energy mix through a period of transition and beyond. That will be necessary to sustain jobs and meet our energy requirements. And clearly the public at large back that common-sense approach.”
“We hope that the next Prime Minister shares our commitment to delivering a just transition, one that puts Aberdeen at the front of a global race towards a greener energy future.”
“We have the people, the supply chain capacity and the existing infrastructure in the North East of Scotland to deliver that future.”
