Damage caused by delayed or cancelled Scottish projects is no longer acceptable
I’m seriously concerned for the energy industry in Scotland, writes Energy Voice columnist Dick Winchester.
I’m seriously concerned for the energy industry in Scotland, writes Energy Voice columnist Dick Winchester.
The UK government said it is "stepping up plans" to support workers at the Grangemouth refinery ahead of its closure, but a leading union has criticised the support package as "smoke and mirrors".
The Prime Minister has said his Government is not “sleepwalking” into potential “industrial devastation” over the closure of the Grangemouth refinery.
Grangemouth operator Petroineos has confirmed Scotland's only oil refinery will cease operations in the second quarter of 2025, leading to a net loss of 400 jobs.
Securing the future of the Grangemouth refinery is “one of the greatest tests the just transition process will ever face”, a union has said ahead of a march calling for its lifespan to be extended.
Union bosses have called on Scotland's First Minister John Swinney to "show us the plan" for the beleaguered Grangemouth oil refinery which is set for closure next year.
Both of Scotland’s governments have been accused of “sleepwalking towards disaster” on protecting the future of Scotland’s only oil refinery.
The bulk of new diesel supply stemming from a $1 billion expansion at the UK’s largest oil refinery operated by Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) will be available in the first quarter of 2025.
Workers at the Grangemouth oil refinery have slated the Scottish and UK governments over failures to develop plans to help protect hundreds of jobs at the complex.
Scotland's only oil refinery at Grangemouth is set to close by mid-2025
Scottish and UK Governments will discuss Grangemouth refinery future
Energy Minister Graham Stuart also denied UK government approach would differ if the refinery was located in England
Energy secretary insists government was told at same point as workforce, despite receiving warnings in February 2022.
Former energy minister Michael Matheson held talks with Grangemouth operator Petroineos in 2022, in which he was told of the potential closure of the refinery in the face of market pressures.
Shona McConnell, SEPA senior manager for environmental performance, said: "No oil was observed in the Fruin Water below the upstream containment infrastructure near Strone House."
A SEPA spokesperson told Energy Voice investigations into the spill are ongoing but "there is currently a very low risk to the wider public".
Petroineos to offer enhanced redundancy terms and above inflation pay rise for ‘jobs on a timer’
Union leaders slammed plans to cease operations at Grangemouth’s crude refinery and called for nationalisation, while just transition campaigners called for a ‘credible plan’ to protect workers.
Grangemouth, Scotland’s last remaining oil refining capacity, could close as soon as 2025 amid a reported decline in North Sea oil output and falling demand for fuels.
Extinction Rebellion (XR) has announced plans to block major UK oil refineries in April as part of a further wave of action targeting the fossil fuel industry.
Ineos is to invest more than £1 billion to reduce the environmental impact of its Grangemouth refinery.
Petrochemicals giant Ineos has thrown its backing behind a trailblazing north-east carbon capture and storage (CCS) project.
“I’m really not that interested in creating a glossy report. What I want is solid concept engineering; here is a tool that allows industrial sites to look at the options and start this journey to decarbonisation.”
A Scottish decarbonisation group has been successful in its bid to secure more than a million pounds to draw up an industrial emissions reduction roadmap.
Up to 200 jobs are at risk at the Petroineos oil refinery in Grangemouth.