John Swinney vows Scotland will grasp energy opportunities ‘with both hands’
The First Minister spoke after meeting key figures from the energy sector at UK Government level, including GB Energy chair Juergen Maier.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Scotland will seek to maximise the opportunities from energy policies pursued by Westminster, First Minister John Swinney vowed as he met key UK Government figures in the sector.
The Scottish First Minister spoke as he met Juergen Maier, the chair of Great British Energy – the publicly owned, clean energy company the Labour government is setting up.
The meeting was the first formal engagement between the Scottish Government and GB Energy – which is to be headquartered in Scotland.
Also present was Chris Stark, the former Climate Change Committee chief executive who is now heading up the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 unit, tasked with delivering commitments on green energy.
It came as Mr Swinney co-chaired his first meeting of the Scottish Energy Advisory Board – an expert body which advises Holyrood ministers on energy matters.
The First Minister used the meeting to stress the importance of Scotland being an attractive proposition for GB Energy, as he pledged his government’s support to help ensure investment opportunities are secured.
Mr Swinney said: “Clean, green energy represents a massive opportunity for Scotland. Not only does it help tackle climate change but it can be a huge stimulus of jobs and prosperity for Scotland for decades to come.
“We welcome the creation of Great British Energy and Clean Power 2030, and now it is up to Scotland to maximise the investment and opportunities that will come to projects in Scotland from these initiatives.
“Having the heads of both Clean Power 2030 and Great British Energy in Scotland today, meeting with the leaders of Scotland’s energy sector, is the next step in doing exactly that.
“It means we can make sure Scotland is ready to grab the chance for jobs and green growth they represent. It is a chance we will grasp with both hands.”
Mr Swinney added: “Scotland has already made great strides towards a clean, fair and secure energy system and we are continuing to accelerate our enormous renewables potential and work to ensure the maximum possible economic and social benefit from the opportunities created.”