The UK and Scottish governments have signed a key agreement to enhance collaboration on clean energy supply chains, focusing on Scottish renewable energy projects. Great British Energy (GBE), the newly established public company, will work with Scottish public bodies such as Crown Estate Scotland and the Scottish National Investment Bank to accelerate the development of offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies.
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, speaking in Aberdeen alongside Energy Minister Michael Shanks and GBE chair Juergen Maier, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating: “Scottish energy workers will power the United Kingdom's clean energy future—including in carbon capture and storage, in hydrogen, in wind, and with oil and gas for decades to come as part of a fair transition in the North Sea.”
GBE has secured £8.3 billion in funding for the current parliamentary term, with its headquarters based in Aberdeen. The collaboration with Scottish agencies is designed to avoid duplication and streamline the delivery of clean energy projects, particularly in floating offshore wind, an area where Scotland is leading innovation.
Today I'm in Aberdeen, my first visit since we announced the headquarters of Great British Energy will be here.
We are determined to build on Aberdeen's expertise to make it the clean energy capital of Europe. pic.twitter.com/LZZ59gaArb
— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) October 17, 2024
Miliband also stressed the importance of this new agreement, noting: “Unlike in the past, we're also working closely with the Scottish Government with a new agreement to ensure our publicly owned company, Great British Energy, is primed to accelerate clean energy investment in Scotland.”
Additionally, the UK government confirmed the accelerated implementation of a ‘skills passport' to help oil and gas workers transition into offshore wind. The digital tool, designed by the industry, is set to be piloted by January 2025 to support workers as part of the North Sea's energy transition.
The visit included a tour of the ORE Catapult's Floating Wind Innovation Centre (FLOWIC) in Aberdeen. ORE Catapult chair Ronnie Bonnar welcomed the collaboration, stating: “ORE Catapult looks forward to working with Great British Energy to drive the UK innovation ecosystem, bolster supply chain capability, and cement the UK's status as a Clean Energy Superpower.”
