Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said today oil and gas will remain part of the UK’s energy mix “for a long time,” reinforcing the messaging from Offshore Energies UK, the trade body representing a sector that is vital to the UK economy.
Speaking alongside US President Donald Trump at an international press conference at Mr Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Ayrshire, Sir Keir Starmer said: “We believe in a mix, and obviously oil and gas will be with us for a very long time, and that’ll be part of the mix, but also wind, solar, increasingly nuclear...”
The Prime Minister added: “As we go forward, the most important thing for the United Kingdom is that we have control of our energy and we have energy independence and security.”
OEUK Chief Executive David Whitehouse wrote to the Prime Minister on Friday ahead of the visit asking him to back homegrown energy and agree that it is best for UK jobs, growth, industry and net zero.
The full letter can be found here: https://oeuk.org.uk/championing-homegrown-energy-as-sir-keir-starmer-greets-president-trump-in-scotland/
David Whitehouse, Chief Executive of Offshore Energies UK, said:
“It is good to hear this clear recognition from the Prime Minister that the UK will need a diverse energy mix and that oil and gas remain essential to the UK’s energy future. We’ve long said that this is not a choice between renewables or oil and gas - we need both.
“We were pleased to set this out in our open letter to the Prime Minister ahead of today’s meeting with President Trump. The UK must not increase its reliance on imported energy.
“If we are going to use oil and gas, let’s produce it here - responsibly, with lower emissions, and with all the benefits to jobs, taxes and growth that come from homegrown supply.
“Words matter and today’s words from the Prime Minster were very welcome.
“What matters even more is action. We now need to see that recognition translate into decisions that back the UK’s offshore energy sector, support jobs, and secure investment in oil, gas, wind, hydrogen and carbon capture.
“The best way to influence prices and take control of our energy future is to back homegrown energy - including oil and gas - alongside the acceleration of renewables.
“The UK still gets three-quarters of its energy from oil and gas, and domestic production meets only half of that demand. Without action, import dependency will rise sharply.”