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
1 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Increase government investment to create clean energy jobs matching North Sea oil and gas losses.
We are concerned that clean energy jobs are not being created at the pace or scale required to match the heavy job losses arising from the decline of the North Sea oil and gas sector. The scale-up of clean energy … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, highlighting the Clean Energy Jobs Plan aims to nearly double clean energy jobs by 2030 with £63 billion capital funding. It also points to the North Sea Future Plan and Transitional Energy Certificates to ensure a managed transition and retain skilled workforces.
Scotland Office
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3 Conclusion Accepted in Part
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Domestic fossil fuel production maintains energy security and anchors jobs during transition.
We recognise that with time moving to clean energy improves the UK’s overall energy security. However, as fossil fuels are to continue to form part of the UK’s energy mix for decades to come, there are compelling arguments to meet … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the natural decline of the North Sea basin and rejects issuing new exploration licenses. However, it commits to managing existing fields for their lifespan and introducing new Transitional Energy Certificates to help ease the production decline and ensure economic viability.
Scotland Office
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4 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Implement pragmatic North Sea licensing policy and clarify additional drilling permissions for developers.
The Government should set out how it intends to address the issue of the North Sea oil and gas industry’s decline outstripping the scale-up of clean energy. We urge the Government to take a pragmatic approach to its licensing policy … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed to a pragmatic approach by introducing Transitional Energy Certificates, which will permit specific additional drilling activity, such as infill wells or tie-backs, in areas adjacent to existing fields to maximise their lifespan.
Scotland Office
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7 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Commit to urgent publication and early implementation of the new North Sea fiscal regime.
In its response to this report, the Government should commit to a publication date for the outcome of its consultation on the new fiscal regime. To provide much-needed clarity and confidence to the sector, the successor regime should be brought … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, providing significant detail on the new Oil and Gas Fiscal Regime (OGPM), including its 35% rate, activation thresholds from 2026/27, and commitment to legislate next year. However, it confirms the OGPM will replace the Energy Profits Levy from March 2030 (or earlier if triggered), rejecting the recommendation to implement it sooner.
Scotland Office
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9 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Commit to issuing explanatory statements detailing how oil and gas applications are balanced.
We recommend that the Government commit to issuing an explanatory statement after assessing each application, setting out how it has balanced the environmental impact against the economic and energy security benefits of oil and gas fields in its assessment. A … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, stating that once a decision is made, it will be published with reasons. However, it does not explicitly commit to a detailed explanatory statement outlining the balance between environmental, economic, and energy security factors for each application as requested.
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12 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Commit to publishing a long-term North Sea energy transition plan with measurable skills transfer outcomes.
The Government should recognise the urgency of the need for a coherent plan for the North Sea by committing to dates for the publication of its consultation response and consequent transition plan. The transition plan should be long-term in scope, … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agreed, stating it has published the 'North Sea Future Plan' and will establish a minister-led 'North Sea Future Board' by early 2026, with community representation, to oversee the transition. While committing to monitoring clean energy jobs, it did not explicitly commit to all specific measurable outcomes like target figures for skills transfer within the plan.
Scotland Office
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14 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Clarify inter-governmental delivery, duration, and long-term financing for the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund.
The forthcoming transition plan should set out how the UK and Scottish governments will work together to deliver the Oil and Gas Training Transition Fund. It should clarify the duration of the funding available and the degree of UK Government … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, announcing the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will be extended until 2028-29 with up to £18m jointly funded by UK and Scottish governments, and opportunities for private investment will be explored. However, it explicitly rejects using Energy Profits Levy revenues for long-term funding due to fiscal sustainability concerns.
Scotland Office
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20 Recommendation Accepted in Part
4th Report - The future of Scotlan…
Explain National Wealth Fund decision-making, Grangemouth taskforce role, and project criteria.
The Government should explain in its response to this report how its taskforce on regulatory recommendations will feed into decisions taken by the National Wealth Fund. The Government should make clear the role and influence of the Grangemouth Investment Taskforce … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, stating the National Wealth Fund (NWF) is part of the Investment Taskforce and will be aware of emerging projects and regulatory requests. The NWF's investment principles include supporting growth and clean energy missions, delivering financial returns, and attracting private capital, which indirectly covers project speed and job quality, though it doesn't specify how these are explicitly weighted.
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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