GB Energy to be headquartered in Aberdeen | EUROtoday

The headquarters for a brand new UK government-backed vitality firm will likely be in Aberdeen, BBC Scotland understands.

GB Energy is not going to provide energy to properties, however will assist fund new and current clear know-how, in addition to small and medium-sized renewable vitality initiatives.

It can be deliberate for the physique to have smaller satellite tv for pc workplaces in different elements of Scotland – presumably together with Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is anticipated to formally announce the agency’s official residence within the coming weeks.

Aberdeen is already residence to swathes of the UK’s oil and fuel and offshore wind industries.

GB Energy was one in all Labour’s key election pledges and was all the time deliberate to be primarily based in Scotland.

However, the precise location was not initially recognized and was not included within the King’s Speech firstly of Sir Keir’s authorities.

Labour had beforehand promised the plan would deliver “a huge number” of expert jobs to the nation.

Under its remit, GB Energy would put money into wind and photo voltaic initiatives, in addition to newer applied sciences together with floating offshore windfarms, hydrogen and carbon seize and vitality storage.

During the election marketing campaign, Labour was compelled to make clear that GB Energy would generate energy in its personal proper, however wouldn’t be a retailer.

It could be funded by means of an prolonged windfall tax on oil and fuel companies, which Labour claimed would elevate about £8.3bn over the following 5 years.

The get together has stated beforehand it will not situation new oil and fuel licences, but additionally stated it will not overturn current permits.

The Scottish authorities had beforehand pledged to ascertain a publicly-owned, non-profit firm to promote fuel and electrical energy by 2021, though that was later scrapped.

First Minister John Swinney stated the agency could be a “bodyblow” to the Scottish financial systemarguing it will not deliver payments down for households and danger decreasing employment within the north east of Scotland.

However, his deputy Kate Forbes stated the Scottish authorities would “work constructively” with their UK counterparts if and after they had extra particulars on how it will function.

The Scottish Conservatives additionally voiced issues over the affect on jobs, accusing Labour of “wanting to turn off the North Sea”.