Greg Hands’ appointment as Minister of State for Energy has been welcomed by OGUK, the leading representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry.
This week’s cabinet reshuffle saw Mr Hands moving from the Department for International Trade, where he was minister for trade policy from February 2020. He has previously served as chief secretary to the treasury.
In his new role he will oversee policies on energy, clean growth, and climate change – areas all relevant to the oil and gas industry and its aim of leading the nation in transitioning to a low carbon future.
OGUK also congratulates Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Mr Hands’ predecessor, who was energy minister from January 2021. The same reshuffle also saw her promoted to become Secretary of State for International Trade.
Deirdre Michie, OGUK’s chief executive said:
“We would like to thank Ms Trevelyan very much indeed for working with us so closely and effectively, especially in relation to the North Sea Transition Deal. This was a transformational agreement, the first of its kind by any G7 country, showing how oil and gas-producing countries can move fairly towards a lower carbon future.“
“That deal is designed to create up to 40,000 new energy jobs and help our energy heartlands, places like Aberdeen and Teeside, retain the jobs and skills needed to move towards net zero.
“We look forward to working with Mr Hands in implementing that deal which will unlock up to £16bn in investment over the next decade in crucial low carbon technologies like carbon capture and storage, and the production of hydrogen as a greener fuel.”
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