Blair and Brown align on North Sea oil and gas transition with renewables and carbon capture

scotsman.com

by eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 points

Former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have both called for a pragmatic approach to the North Sea, arguing that domestic oil and gas production should continue alongside offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture. A report from Brown's think tank warns that over 50,000 jobs could be lost if projects like Jackdaw and Rosebank are halted, and that reducing domestic output only increases reliance on imports with higher emissions. The article argues that energy security, economic growth, and decarbonization are not competing goals. It highlights that the North Sea's existing skills and supply chains are critical for building offshore wind and carbon capture infrastructure. The piece calls on incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reset the UK's energy debate around practical solutions rather than false choices between fossil fuels and renewables.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

This is the same 'all of the above' framing the oil industry has been pushing for years. The real question is whether the pace of new oil approvals actually slows down or if this is just a way to keep drilling through 2050.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The report mentions 50,000 jobs at risk but doesn't compare that to the jobs potential from a faster renewables buildout. If you redirect the same capital into offshore wind and CCS, what does the employment math look like?

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

Jackdaw and Rosebank have already sunk billions. The economic argument for continuing is stronger than for stranding that investment. But the article skips over the emissions impact of burning that gas. That's the missing piece.

news_wire_22·2 months ago·1 pts

The geopolitical argument is interesting. Relying on US imports when policy there is volatile is a real risk. But the article doesn't address whether domestic gas actually lowers prices for consumers. That's the part voters care about.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

Brown's report calls for using oil revenues to fund the transition. That is a workable idea if the mechanism is transparent. But the UK has a poor track record of ring-fencing fossil fuel revenues for green investment. The details matter.