Leading Ministers from both the UK and Scottish Governments will play a key role in the industry conference hosted by Offshore Energies UK at Aberdeen’s P&J Live on Tuesday May 24.
Malcolm Offord, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland and Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Parliament’s Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work will speak at the event based on the theme of ‘The North Sea Transition Deal: delivering cleaner energy securely’.
The deal agreed with the UK Government in 2021 marked its first anniversary in March. Already setting a pace for helping to deliver net zero emissions by 2050, it shows how oil and gas producing countries can move fairly towards a lower carbon future in a way that cuts emissions, creates jobs and stimulates investment across the UK.
This year’s event marks the first annual conference hosted by Offshore Energies UK, the leading trade body which now represents organisations with an interest in offshore oil, gas, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and wind. The five themes of the deal comprising Carbon Capture and Storage, Hydrogen, Energy Supply Decarbonisation, Supply Chain Transformation and People and Skills feature on the programme. Richard Lochhead will speak in the opening plenary session while Malcolm Offord is a guest speaker in the Security of Energy Supply session.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Minister Malcolm Offord said:
“”When the North Sea Transition deal was signed just over a year ago, a truly unique relationship was formed between industry, regulators and government. This world-leading partnership is working well as we transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources – but there is much more to do. At this week’s conference, I look forward to hearing from industry experts on their innovative transition plans.
“The UK Government is investing in oil and gas and in renewables to protect the highly-skilled workforce in the North Sea. By working together we can ensure that the whole of the UK has a greener, cleaner, and ultimately, cost-effective energy sector to set high standards on a global scale.”
Just Transition Minister Richard Lochhead said:
“Scotland’s oil and gas industry has a key role to play in delivering our net zero future. I am delighted to join this important event and continue the discussion on how the sector and the ambitions of the North Sea Transition Deal are supporting our journey to net zero.
“There is vast experience, expertise and capability in our energy workforce, which has already been instrumental in fast-tracking our deployment of offshore wind and other renewable energy sources such as hydrogen and – crucially – the development and deployment of CCUS at pace.
“I am committed to working with industry to achieve a just transition for our workforce, capitalising on existing skills and expertise to create many good, green jobs in the coming years and ensure Scotland’s place as a global energy leader.”
OEUK’s chief executive Deirdre Michie said:
“I am pleased to welcome both Ministers to our conference. It is important that both governments recognise that it is essential to support UK oil and gas while simultaneously expanding offshore wind, and other low-carbon energies, to provide an ever-increasing proportion of future energy needs. Our industry has helped provide secure safe energy to the UK for the past five decades and through building a shared vision, we can work with governments to deliver net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
OEUK’s conference provides the ideal arena for offshore energy producers and supply chain companies serving the sector to learn more about Deal and the role they play in delivering clean and secure energy to the UK.
The full agenda is available at the OEUK website To book a place, visit OEUK here .
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