GB Energy and the net zero transition

Scottish Affairs Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 28 Nov 2024 Parliament page
The Committee is investigating the transition to net zero in Scotland’s energy sector, and how the UK Government can support a transition that maximises opportunities for jobs and economic growth. As part of this, the Committee is examining how GB Energy and other interventions can most effectively back the development … Read more
21 Recommendations
21 Conclusions
2 Reports
11 Oral sessions
20 Letters
13 Events
Activity timeline 47 events
21 May
2026
Report published
14 May
2026
Correspondence
14 May
2026
Formal meeting (private meeting) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
15 Apr
2026
Oral evidence
15 Apr
2026
Correspondence
15 Apr
2026
Correspondence
15 Apr
2026
Correspondence
15 Apr
2026
Correspondence
15 Apr
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
25 Mar
2026
Correspondence
4 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
4 Mar
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 11 sessions
15 Apr 2026
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GB Energy and the net zero transition – Session 11
Michael Shanks MP · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
4 Mar 2026
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GB Energy and the net zero transition- session 10
Guy Jefferson · Scottish Power Energy Networks James Basden · Zenobe Julian Leslie · National Grid ESO Scott Somerville · E.ON UK Steve McMahon · Ofgem
4 Feb 2026
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GB Energy – Session 9
Charandeep Singh · Scottish Chambers of Commerce Dr Christian Calvillo · University of Strathclyde Lawrence Johnston · scarf Madeleine Gabriel · Nesta Ned Hammond · Energy UK Stephanie Mander · Citizens Advice Scotland
7 Jan 2026
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GB Energy – Session 8
Alan Roseweir · Wallacetown Community Energy Project Christianna Logan · SSEN Transmission Finley Becks-Phelps · Nadara Gail Anderton · Highland Council Lynda Mitchell · ALIEnergy Neil Mackinnon · Galson Estate Trust Zoe Holliday · Community Energy Scotland
19 Nov 2025
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GB Energy – Session 6
Dan McGrail · Renewable UK
2 Jul 2025
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GB Energy and the net zero transition
Michael Brannan · Offshore Energy Transition and Coal Legacy, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Michael Brennan · Offshore Energy Transition and Coal Legacy, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Michael Shanks MP · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
14 May 2025
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Doug Duguid · Aurora Energy Services Gavin Templeton · Veri Energy Jim Brown · Energy Skills Partnership Kenneth MacInnes · Forth Valley College Lynsey Benson · Engineering Construction Industry Training Board Neil Cowie · North East Scotland College
2 Apr 2025
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GB Energy and the net zero transition – Session 4
Anu Bhambi · EY Parthenon Colin Pritchard · INEOS Iain Hardie · Petroineos
19 Mar 2025
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GB Energy and the net zero transition
Derek Thomson · Unite the Union Ian Perth · Prospect Robert Deavy · GMB
26 Feb 2025
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GB Energy and the net zero transition – Session 2
Becca Groundwater · Energies Industries Council Hebe Trotter · Harbour Energy Jenny Stanning · Offshore Energies UK Louise Kingham CBE · BP plc Neil Gordon · Global Underwater Hub Russell Borthwick · Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
22 Jan 2025
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GB Energy and the net zero transition – Session 1
Ameena Camps · Just Transition Commission Emma Pinchbeck · Energy UK Fraser Stewart · Regen Hannah Corbett · University of Strathclyde Centre for Energy Policy Owen Bellamy · Climate Change Committee Professor Paul de Leeuw · Robert Gordon University Energy Transition Institute Richard Hardy · Just Transition Commission
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
Clear
5 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Set out plans to increase proportion of UK-based supply chains for clean energy generators.
We recognise that maximising economic return from clean energy investments requires supporting and expanding UK-based supply chains. (Conclusion, Paragraph 56) The Government should set out how it intends to increase the proportion of UK-based supply chains used by clean energy … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and outlines four new policy interventions from its North Sea Future Plan to support and expand UK-based supply chains. These include establishing a North Sea Future Board, developing guidance, a Basin Wide Plan, and leveraging GBE's £1bn Supply Chain Fund.
Scotland Office
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8 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Transparency in environmental impact assessments for new oil and gas fields requires improvement.
We welcome the Government’s publication of updated guidance on environmental impact assessments for new oil and gas fields, providing greater certainty to the sector. Given that each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis and the Government has not … Read more
Government Response
The government explains that each project is considered on its merits, with the Secretary of State balancing environmental effects against wider national benefits and objectives. It asserts that the existing EIA process already provides transparency through public notice and published decision reasons, without committing to new transparency measures.
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11 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
North Sea energy transition plan urgently required but progress remains slow.
A coherent transition plan for the North Sea is urgently needed. While we recognise that the Government has been in power for 15 months, plans are not yet in place and the transition is already well underway. The Government’s consultation, … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the urgent need for a coherent transition plan and confirms the publication of its 'North Sea Future Plan' in November, further committing to establish a minister-led delivery board in early 2026 to oversee progress.
Scotland Office
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15 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Ensure clear communication campaigns for oil and gas workers on energy transition job opportunities.
There has been a failure of communication from consecutive governments to oil and gas workers about the transition and what they need to do to prepare and benefit from it. Government action is required to ensure the visibility and promotion … Read more
Government Response
The government outlined several specific actions to improve the visibility and promotion of clean energy jobs, including a UK-wide awareness campaign, a deep dive into priority occupations, the Destination Nuclear campaign with a careers portal, and recent clean energy jobs fairs.
Scotland Office
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16 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Conduct a communications campaign informing oil and gas workers about energy transition job opportunities.
As part of its North Sea transition plan, we recommend that the Government conduct a communications campaign about the scale of the energy transition and the employment opportunities available, directed at both oil and gas workers and new entrants to … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, committing to lead a UK-wide industry-led awareness and attraction campaign for clean energy jobs, launching next year. A strong communications approach will be embedded within the North Sea programme, with the North Sea Jobs Service providing job boards, apps, and job-matching to help workers transition.
Scotland Office
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17 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Grangemouth case highlights government inaction on preparing for industrial job losses.
The Grangemouth case is the energy transition’s canary in a coalmine. It has illustrated the need for Government’s active stewardship in the energy transition. Petroineos advised the Committee that the UK and Scottish governments were aware of its plans to … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the committee's conclusions regarding past failures at Grangemouth and detailed its subsequent actions, including a £100 million support package, a training guarantee, the Project Willow feasibility study, and a £14.5 million seed fund to transform the site.
Scotland Office
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18 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Establish principles for a just industrial transition drawing on lessons from the Grangemouth case.
In its response to this report, the Government should outline what has been learned from this case and what can be done to ensure that comparable industrial transitions will be better managed in future. Having consulted trade unions and communities … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation, affirming its commitment to a fair and equitable transition for workers and communities. It will commence a "Future of Fuels programme" and launch a call for evidence to inform the UK's long-term strategy for the downstream oil sector, which will guide future transition management and support jobs and communities.
Scotland Office
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19 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Clarity needed on Grangemouth investment decisions and taskforce integration.
Continued momentum on the future of Grangemouth is vital. Project Willow must not be left to gather dust while jobs are at stake. We welcome the Scottish Government’s £25 million Just Transition Fund and the UK Government’s commitment of £200 … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on maintaining momentum for Grangemouth, announcing £14.5 million in funding and describing the due diligence process undertaken by investment agencies. They commit to understanding and providing necessary policy or regulatory support as projects emerge to unlock investment.
Scotland Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 20 of 21 classified
Accepted 8
Accepted in Part 8
Acknowledged 3
Not Addressed 1
Total 21 recs + 21 conclusions
Correspondence 20 letters
14 May 2026 Correspondence from Energy Minister Michael Shanks following up from 15 April evidence session, dated 13 May 2026
Parliament page
15 Apr 2026 Correspondence from Ocean Winds regarding transmission charges impact on Scotland's offshore wind pipeline, dated 26 March 2026
Parliament page
15 Apr 2026 Correspondence from Chair to Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy and Climate Change, regarding GB Energy and the net zero transition, dated 9 April 2026
Parliament page
15 Apr 2026 Correspondence from Ofgem following up from 4 March session, dated 27 March 2026
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15 Apr 2026 Correspondence from E.ON following up from 4 March session, dated 20 March 2026
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25 Mar 2026 Correspondence from Neso following up from 4 March session, dated 16 March 2026
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26 Feb 2026 Correspondence from Scottish Chambers of Commerce, CEO Charandeep Singh regarding follow up from 4 February session, dated 10 February 2026
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26 Feb 2026 Correspondence from Great British Energy regarding GB Energy Headquarters, dated 12 February 2026
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28 Jan 2026 Correspondence from SSEN Transmission regarding follow-up from 7 January session, dated 20 January 2026
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21 Jan 2026 Correspondence from Great British Energy following up from 19 November session, dated 9 January 2025
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3 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from the Chair to Sharon Graham, General Secretary at Unite the Union regarding the energy transition plan, dated 03 June 2025
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3 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from the Chair to Derek Thomson, Scotland Regional Secretary at Unite the Union following up from 19 March session, dated 16 May 2025 and 16 April 2025
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12 Aug 2025 To committee Letter from Energy Minister Michael Shanks following up from 2 July session, dated 9 July 2025
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16 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from Offshore Energies UK regarding GB Energy and the net zero transition inquiry, dated 4 July 2025
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2 Jul 2025 To committee Response from Colleges Scotland following up from 14 May session, dated 26 June 2025
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18 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from INEOS relating to information requested during 2 April evidence session, dated 6 June 2025
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2 Apr 2025 To committee Letter from Unite the Union, regarding GB Energy and the net zero transition inquiry, dated 27 March 2025
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19 Mar 2025 To committee Letter from Andrew Montford, Net Zero Watch, regarding oral evidence presented to the Committee as part of its inquiry into GB Energy and the net zero transition inquiry, dated 6 March 2025
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19 Mar 2025 To committee Letter from Just Transition Commission, regarding oral evidence presented to the Scottish Affairs Committee as part of its inquiry into GB Energy and the net zero transition inquiry, dated 6 February 2025
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22 Jan 2025 Correspondence from National Energy System Operator, regarding GB Energy and the net zero transition inquiry, dated 13 January 2025
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