Aberdeen could become a global leader in the £3trillion green energy revolution that is under way, a UK Government minister has said.
Energy Minister Joan Ruddock predicted yesterday that the oil capital of Europe could soon become the centre of the continent’s rapidly-growing, multibillion-pound renewables sector.
Speaking exclusively to the Press and Journal while on a visit to the city, she said Aberdeen companies which adapted skills used in the oil and gas industry to develop low-carbon technology would play a key role in the battle against global warming.
The shift towards the development of wind and wave power would also create a jobs boom for the region which would help lead the country out of recession, Ms Ruddock added.
“Aberdeen could find itself having a leading role in a move all countries will need to make in becoming a low carbon economy,” she said.
“It could be the low carbon technology capital of Europe, why not?
“The low carbon industry is worth £3trillion. We need the skills that have been brought to bare from the exploration of oil and gas to be used in terms of the manufacture of the renewables programme in the UK.
“Aberdeen companies already have had a long history of working in many parts of the world.
“Its role would not just be to supply needs within the UK but to take these skills and export them.”
Ms Ruddock also promised that Scotland would not be forced into hosting a new generation of nuclear power stations.
“We will not be attempting to force Scotland to accept nuclear power if the government in Scotland doesn’t want nuclear power,” the Labour MP said.
“We have actually got areas of England coming forward to welcome a new generation of nuclear technology because they see it would guarantee future jobs.
“It may be that the new nuclear contribution comes from England and a high proportion of the renewable energy contribution comes from Scotland.”
The energy minister was in the north-east to visit Aberdeen’s super-efficient combined heat and power system as part of a fact-finding mission around the country to see the best examples of green technology in use.
The city council-backed not-for-profit company Aberdeen Heat & Power has cut energy bills in half for many residents in areas such as Seaton and Hazlehead.
Ms Ruddock said: “I wanted to see what is regarded as one of the UK’s best combined heat and power companies saving money in areas which in the past would have had a lot of fuel poverty.”
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