Gordon MP welcomes new oil and gas economic impact figures
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A NORTH-east MP has welcomed new research into how the oil and gas sector affects the Scottish economy.
New research from lobbying group Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), which represents the offshore energy industry, on the economic impact of the sector has been lauded by Gordon MP Richard Thomson.
Mr Thomson said: "This latest research shows how important the energy economy both is and will continue to be, not just to the north-east but also to the wider Scottish Economy."
The research, undertaken by Experian on behalf of OEUK, has revealed that oil and gas contributes £16 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy of Scotland, providing jobs for more than 82,000 people across the country.
Aberdeen and the north east more widely has long been a focal point of the oil and gas sector.
The OEUK research states that oil and gas continues to meet around 75 per cent of the UK’s energy and that companies in Scotland play a critical role in maintaining the UK’s existing energy supplies while at the same time building the low carbon energy systems of the future.
Scotland hosts many professional and engineering services within the oil and gas industry that are both directly and indirectly involved in aiding the UK’s transition to a low-carbon future.
Jenny Stanning, External Relations Director at OEUK, said: “This research showcases the significant role of the oil and gas industry in the Scottish economy.
"Companies in Scotland help maintain the country’s supplies of home-produced oil and gas while also building the low carbon energy systems of the future."
Across Scotland there exists vital expertise that will be crucial in maintaining and increasing energy supply levels in the country.
Mr Thomson MP said: “Within that industry are the people with the expertise, experience and drive to take us to net zero.
"It’s therefore vitally important to ensure that the transition path we follow retains those skills, embraces the opportunities of the Scottish Government’s £500million transition fund for the north-east and fully capitalises on the economic prospects of being at the global forefront of the move to net-zero.”
Across the whole of the UK, the Experian research found that the oil and gas industry produces £26.5 billion GVA, supporting more than 200,000 jobs across the country.
