As Britain phases out fossil fuels and pivots to renewable energy, many oil and gas workers fear they are being left behind.
The country has stopped issuing new North Sea oil and gas licences as it ramps up investment in offshore wind and other renewable energy sources.
If the energy transition plan succeeds, it could offer a future for workers in an industry now producing about 75 per cent less oil than it did at its peak at the start of the century, said observers.
But in Aberdeen – the UK’s energy capital – the shift is raising concerns that green jobs are not replacing traditional oil and gas roles quickly enough.
“We co-invest with industry, we identify technology challenges, particularly ones that the energy industry in the North Sea can contribute to,” said Martyn Tulloch, the centre’s director of energy transition.
“So for example, things like deploying offshore wind which is going to be a core technology for helping Europe decarbonise – that’s a big focus. We look at transitioning skills, technology, know-how from the oil and gas sector in particular into these new and growing sectors.”
