Next UK government ‘has 100 days to save 100,000 North Sea jobs’

The next UK government will have just 100 days to save 100,000 jobs in the North Sea energy sector, as companies consider pulling investment from the UK.

That’s according to the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, whose 39th Energy Transition Report shows a sharp decline in work across production, exploration and renewables, as investors await the outcome of the General Election.

The long-running survey revealed that industry confidence in UK activities has plunged to a record low, with high taxes and a potential exploration ban threatening to bring the domestic oil and gas industry to a premature end.

The chamber estimates that the party which wins the election has a short period to restore confidence, or face losing investment worth around £30bn.

The report also called for a ‘relentless focus’ on renewable energy job creation, echoing calls from union Unite for major investment to create jobs in wind power manufacturing and operations, hydrogen, carbon capture and decommissioning.

Sponsored by KPMG and the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ), the report shows that companies expect only around half of their work (51%) to be in renewables by 2030 – up from 34% currently – although headwinds remain.

Despite the oil price remaining over $80 a barrel, confidence among companies working in the UK Continental Shelf is now lower than the financial crash and the pandemic, when oil prices had slumped to around $16 a barrel.

Profitability and the regulatory environment are listed as the biggest barriers to diversification into renewable energy, with respondents expecting only 51% of their activities to be out with oil and gas by 2030.

More than two thirds of energy sector companies (67%) believe that none of the UK’s political parties are putting forward the correct strategy for energy transition.

All companies are also facing acute recruitment challenges, with half of firms losing more people than usual to retirement. A third are losing more staff than usual to overseas projects.

Russell Borthwick, chief executive at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “From our survey and listening to focus groups, we believe the next government has just 100 days to convince industry that there is a future in the UK Continental Shelf.

“Failure to do so will result in the current apathy, which is evident throughout this report, turning to open revolt, where companies move their resources on to countries which offer a less hostile business environment and better returns.

“Privately, industry leaders are being very clear that this will be the outcome of an extended windfall tax with scaled back allowances.“

He continued: “To set a different path – one where the UK seizes the huge economic opportunities of the energy transition – requires a diversity of thought and approach, and reflect the views of industry, academics and workers.

“We need a new body, free of political interference, to make the right decisions for the long-term future of our energy sector.”

Maggie McGinlay, chief executive of ETZ, commented: “We must supercharge our renewables revolution by cutting through the red tape around grid and planning which are clearly not incentivising the investment levels required in order to achieve this.

“What is reassuring, however, is there is clearly still a strong appetite across our industry base to accelerate transition and that is reflected in ETZ’s ongoing support for the supply chain who are seeking to capitalise on the huge opportunities before us.

“As we approach a General Election I would urge political debate to focus on the need for a joined-up industrial plan recognising the lasting, vital role the energy industry plays.

“Whoever comes to power must see the transition as an unprecedented opportunity to support decarbonisation and lasting industrial and jobs benefits to communities across the North-east, Scotland and the wider UK.”

Paula Holland, senior partner in KPMG’s Aberdeen office, said: “It is quite clear that political instability in an election year, ever changing tax policy, and uncertainty in the market understandably weigh very heavily on the minds of those who responded, outstripping concerns over the oil price for the first time.