AREG News: AREG response to GB Energy headquarters announcement

September 24, 2024
AREG News: AREG response to GB Energy headquarters announcement

Jean Morrison, chair of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), has welcomed the government’s decision to base Great British Energy (GB Energy) in Aberdeen. 

She said: “We greatly welcome today’s announcement that Aberdeen will be the headquarters of GB Energy.

“Aberdeen and the North-east of Scotland have been at the heart of the UK’s energy sector for more than 50 years and having the government’s publicly owned energy company based in the city will allow us to build on its storied history in oil and gas and strengthen its position as a hub for the UK’s energy transition.

“Aberdeen’s proximity to many of the offshore wind farms that secured licenses and support as part of the ScotWind leasing round and recent AR6 auction, in addition to other renewable energy initiatives, including the Acorn project and the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub, make the city ideally located as the headquarters of GB Energy.

“Today’s decision will help secure much needed investment for the sector, bringing forth exciting new opportunities for the city and crucially creating job security for the knowledgeable and skilled workers in Aberdeen’s energy industry as we work to meet net zero targets.

“However, the energy transition cannot happen in isolation and Aberdeen must play its role as part of the country’s wider efforts to decarbonise our energy system. AREG takes a collaborative approach to everything it does as it promotes the sector and works to accelerate decarbonisation by unlocking opportunities for its members both in the UK and overseas.

“With increasing support being awarded to North-east renewable energy projects, many of which involve AREG members, Aberdeen can enhance its position as a supply chain hub and become a true energy transition powerhouse.”

AREG is one of the original energy transition organisations and represents more than 270 member organisations working to achieve net zero emissions. Find out more about AREG at: www.aberdeenrenewables.com 

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AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

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AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables
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Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
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The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy
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Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall
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Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise