Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce used this morning’s Offshore Europe Business Breakfast to call for urgent action to secure the UK’s energy future – warning that confidence, investment and jobs are all at risk under current policy.
Opening the the event - which was delivered in partnership with DNV, SSEN Transmission and OPITO - Chamber Chief Executive Russell Borthwick, said the North-east was ready to lead the world on energy once again.
“Let’s grasp this opportunity to demonstrate our resilience - and readiness - to be at the forefront of driving the reindustrialisation of our nation through clean, homegrown energy," he told the 500-strong audience.
"To demonstrate to policymakers how easily this can happen if they change the route to net zero. Not the ambition, just the direction we take to get there.”
Mr Borthwick highlighted the findings of the Chamber’s Energy Transition Survey, which showed confidence in the UK Continental Shelf diverging sharply from international markets since the introduction of the Energy Profits Levy in 2022.
He warned: “The future of our world class industry is on the edge – bringing real jeopardy to companies, communities and people across the whole UK.”
He said existentially low confidence was forcing supply chain companies to shift focus overseas, with almost half reporting staff losses to international roles.
“When we eventually do get to the point of ramping up ‘new’ energy projects at scale, there will be no one left in the UK to do the work,” he warned.
However, Mr Borthwick also emphasised the region’s potential to lead in renewables and low-carbon solutions.
He added: “This region has the opportunity, the people, the companies, the infrastructure, the eco-system to become global leaders in new energy technologies and operations including offshore wind, hydrogen, geothermal, CCUS and more. But only if we take an all-energy approach now. It’s AND…. not OR.”
Mr Borthwick closed with a rallying call to delegates: “It’s time for OE25. Make your presence count and your voice heard. Let’s show the world that Aberdeen is still very much in the game.”
Click here to view a photo gallery from the event.