Aberdeen named home of Great British Energy
Aberdeen has been named as the location of the new headquarters for the UK government’s Great British Energy firm.
According to the government, the company plans to “scale up clean homegrown power to boost energy independence, create skilled jobs across the UK and to support economic growth”, it said.
Two additional sites will open in Edinburgh and Glasgow, once Great British Energy is up and running. It will be initially located in government buildings across the cities, while permanent bases are established.
An interim Chief Executive will soon to be appointed to take the lead on launching the new company and building its Aberdeen base – along with the start-up chair Juergen Maier, who is the former CEO of energy giant Siemens UK.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband recently introduced the Great British Energy Bill to Parliament and – along with the Prime Minister – confirm a new partnership with The Crown Estate, to help accelerate new offshore wind farms.
The company, which is owned by the British taxpayer, aims to attract private investment in the UK’s clean homegrown power, backed by £8.3 billion in government funding over this Parliament.
The move forms part of the government’s plans to support clean energy in the North Sea, “ensuring Aberdeen continues to thrive as Scotland’s clean energy capital”, it said.
The government also recently announced the biggest ever investment in offshore wind, and continues to progress technologies like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen, as well as ensuring that oil and gas as part of a fair and balanced transition away from fossil fuels, it said.
