UK oil capital tackles energy transition, up to a point

UK oil capital tackles energy transition, up to a point

ABERDEEN: In Aberdeen, northeast Scotland, offshore wind turbines, the extension to the city’s port, and hydrogen buses are clear evidence of the move to green energy. But old habits die hard in the Granite City, which was built on the back of profits of oil and gas piped from the often turbulent waters off its shores. Mention the energy transition and the response is of a “renewables boom”, never a decline in the drilling for hydrocarbons. That looks likely to be the case for as long as oil and gas remains in the ageing North Sea fields. Just a few months ago, the UK, which wants to become carbon neutral by 2050, hosted the world at the UN climate change conference COP26 in Glasgow.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to make the country the “Saudi Arabia” of wind power. The price of energy has since taken off, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sending bills soaring and leaving many householders struggling to make ends meet. Disruptions in the delivery of Russian gas to places such as Poland and Bulgaria have also seen the security of energy supplies become a top priority. Downing Street has published a new strategy which continues to advocate the