The UK’s largest renewable-energy show is moving from Aberdeen to Glasgow for three years.
A formal announcement is expected today to coincide with the start of the final All-Energy in the Granite City until at least 2018.
Business leaders have called it a severe blow to Aberdeen’s credentials as a hub for all types of energy production, as well as a major loss for the north-east economy.
North-east Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said it was “very disappointing” for Europe’s energy capital, and he was drafting parliamentary questions asking if the Scottish Government had any part in the decision.
Speculation is already rife about the reasons for the show moving, with some sources suggesting public money was used as an incentive to take it to Scotland’s biggest city.
High prices and limited availability at Aberdeen hotels have also been mooted as a factor.
The decision comes amid hefty investment in Glasgow’s International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone, which is home to a “catapult” centre to push technology development in offshore renewables.
It also coincides with a growing number of Aberdeen-based energy service businesses looking elsewhere for expansion opportunities due to spiralling costs and a local skills gap.
Colin Welsh, chief executive of energy industry-finance adviser Simmons and Company International, said the decision to also take All-Energy away made no sense.
He added: “It just seems illogical, given that every year since its inception it has got bigger and bigger.
“Glasgow is not the centre of the universe for energy, and we have to ask why this has happened. I see no compelling reason.”
Mr Welsh helped get the annual event off the ground more than 10 years ago, since when it has mushroomed in size.
About 8,000 people attended All-Energy 2013 and the organisers at Reed Exhibitions are hoping for an even bigger turnout for the latest edition today and tomorrow.
The parliamentary questions will put pressure on First Minister Alex Salmond and Energy Minister Fergus Ewing to spell out whether the government were involved in the decision to move the event.
Mr Macdonald said: “It is astonishing that the organisers of this annual event are abandoning Aberdeen.
“It is even more astonishing that SNP Ministers don’t appear to have lifted a finger to prevent it.
“If SNP ministers knew about these plans and supported them, they need to come clean about what they have done. If they didn’t know, the question is why not?”
Mr Ewing, who is among the keynote speakers at All-Energy today, was unavailable for comment.
But a Scottish Government spokesman said: “The All-Energy conference is a fantastic opportunity for Scotland’s energy industry to come together, wherever it is held.
“Any speculation about the location of the conference going forward is a matter for the organisers and venues.”
He added: “The conference does not receive Scottish Government funding and we have not been involved in the decision to move it.”
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