THE Scottish Government’s long-awaited energy strategy will finally be announced today amid fears that ministers will officially oppose new North Sea exploration.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon voiced her opposition to new oil and gas projects last year in the wake of COP26 and the debate over the Cambo oil field.
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Today the sector will find out if that opposition has been converted into official government policy, a move which will be met with disbelief and anger in the North-east of Scotland, Europe’s oil and gas capital.
While the awarding of future exploration and operating licences is a matter reserved to Westminster, recent negative commentary from the SNP-Green coalition is becoming a barrier to investment in the North Sea.
The draft energy strategy, which will go out to consultation after being published this afternoon, will set out the Scottish Government’s policies on domestic production of energy, alongside a plan to reduce demand and build a resilient and secure future net zero energy system.
Also published will be the first Just Transition Plan to ensure that, as the energy sector grows and changes, it benefits citizens, workers and communities.
The Scottish Government says it will provide a route map of actions, with a particular focus out to 2030, for the Scottish and UK Governments and is “central” to meeting Scotland’s climate change targets, as well as boosting jobs and improving wellbeing.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Ms Sturgeon said: “The imperative is clear. In this decade we must set Scotland on the path to an energy system that meets the challenge of becoming a net zero nation by 2045, that supplies safe, secure and affordable energy for all and that generates economic opportunity through a just transition.
“The current energy crisis has demonstrated how vulnerable our energy system is to international price shocks, while laying bare the need for structural reform to ensure affordability for consumers.
“This strategy will shape the next 25 years of energy production in Scotland. It provides an independent assessment of the future of the North Sea and shows that as we reduce Scotland’s dependence on oil and gas – as both generators and consumers – there is a huge environmental and economic opportunity to be seized.
“Scotland is already at the forefront of the clean energy transition and our green jobs revolution is underway. By continuing to make the most of our vast renewable energy resource, we can deliver a net zero energy system that also delivers a net gain in jobs within Scotland’s energy production sector.”
