The two contenders to become Britain's next Prime Minister are being urged to highlight their commitment to the North Sea oil and gas industry when they visit Scotland today.
A Scotland-wide poll commissioned ahead of the visit found that the vast majority of Scots say they are in favour of the UK producing its own oil and gas rather than relying upon imports from overseas.
The survey, run by Survation on behalf of advisory firm True North, found some 85% of respondents believe the UK should meet its own demand for hydrocarbons in what has been described as sign of "massive" confidence in the North Sea.
Further, 86% of respondents believe that the UK and Scottish governments, in conjunction with the energy sector, should take the lead in investing in energy transition, while 63% agree the energy industry has a positive impact on the Scottish and UK economy. Just 11% believe it has a negative impact.
It also shows nearly 60% of people also support future licenses for extracting oil and gas as part of a move to net zero targets.
The findings have been welcomed by Sir Ian Wood, Chairman of ETZ Ltd and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce - and come amid renewed calls for the North East to be awarded Green Freeport status by governments to unlock vast potential in terms of jobs and investment.
'Massive confidence'
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, added: “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.”
Sunak outlines support
Meanwhile, in an article in the Telegraph, Mr Sunak says Scotland will continue to be the foundation of the UK's energy supply in the decades to come.
He adds: "We cannot rely on imported energy, so I will legislate for the UK to be entirely energy independent by 2045. This means more domestic production - much of which will come from Scotland.
"We need more offshore wind, more rooftop solar and more nuclear power, and it will need to be done on the scale of the national vaccine programme.
“Specifically, I will see that the UK produces 50GW of electricity from offshore wind by 2030 and 24GW of electricity from nuclear by 2050. Of this 50GW target, I would expect one-third to be located in Scottish waters.
“For nuclear, I will work with the Scottish Government to ensure that Scotland can benefit from the thousands of jobs and energy reliability that come with this technology.
“I will also deregulate and drive-up North Sea gas production, protecting thousands of Scottish jobs long into the future. This will involve amending the gas-quality rules, putting us in line with our international competitors so that we can increase production this winter and pump more gas into the grid.
“I also plan to run a new North Sea licensing round for oil and gas development beginning immediately, with a further round in 2024. This will mean that we are less reliant on imports of oil and gas resources, instead ramping up the production of our own resources here in the UK."
- Miss Truss is to take part in an online discussion with members of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce later this month, after both Tory leadership candidates were invited to the city to debate the UK's energy future.