Aberdeen confirmed as location for GB Energy

After months of speculation and campaigning, it has now been confirmed that the UK’s new publicly-owned energy company, Great British Energy, will be headquartered in Aberdeen.

 

The announcement was made by Sir Keir Starmer during his speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.  In confirming that the Granite City was to be the base for the new company, the prime minister said that “the truth is, it could only ever be based in one place in Scotland”.

 

Responding to the announcement, Neil Gordon, chief executive of Global Underwater Hub, said: "We welcome the announcement by Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister, to establish GB Energy’s headquarters in Aberdeen. This decision underscores the crucial role north-east Scotland continues to play as a global leader in energy innovation and expertise.  As the UK moves towards a net-zero future, it is imperative that we harness the extensive experience of the subsea and underwater engineering sectors to drive forward a sustainable energy transition.

 

“At Global Underwater Hub, we clearly recognise the opportunity this presents for the underwater supply chain across the UK. Our world-class subsea sector has long been a cornerstone of energy development, not just in the UK but globally, and its expertise will be pivotal in developing new renewable technologies, such as fixed and floating offshore wind, wave and tidal, and carbon capture and storage. By working closely with GB Energy and other industry stakeholders, we aim to ensure the subsea supply chain throughout the UK evolves in line with the needs of a changing energy landscape, while retaining its world-leading position.

 

“Global Underwater Hub is committed to supporting the growth of the sector’s capabilities and providing the direction needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. From assisting SMEs to engaging with larger players in the industry, our goal is to enable the UK’s underwater sector to continue to thrive and lead in the global energy transition. With Aberdeen at the helm as a key hub for these developments, we look forward to continuing to play a central role in shaping a sustainable, energy-secure future for the UK."

 

 

 

Creating GB Energy was one of the Labour Party’s manifesto commitments during the 2024 UK general election and once elected to government it worked swiftly to begin establishing the company.  The organisation’s website says that it will “invest in clean energy across our country, and make the UK a world leader in floating offshore wind, nuclear power and hydrogen”.

 

 

A lack of clarity remains regarding what exactly GB Energy will do, but priorities of co-investing in new technologies, scaling or accelerating mature technologies and scaling up municipal and community energy projects have been outlined.  It July, it was confirmed that the former CEO of Siemens UK would chair GB Energy.