MP calls for rethink after ‘illogical’ decision to overlook Cromarty Firth as GB Energy base
The decision to base the new state-owned firm GB Energy in Aberdeen has been condemned as “very disappointing and backward-looking” by Jamie Stone.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross was speaking after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the location for GB Energy’s headquarters.
Mr Stone claimed it was illogical for the UK government to have overlooked the Cromarty Firth and called for a rethink.
Sir Keir made the announcement in Liverpool as he delivered his first Labour conference speech as Prime Minister.
“We said GB Energy – our publicly owned national champion, the vehicle that will drive forward our mission on clean energy – belonged in Scotland,” he told delegates.
“And it does. But the truth is, it could only really ever be based in one place in Scotland.
“So I can confirm that the future of British energy will be powered, as it has been for decades, by the talent and skills of the working people in the Granite City with GB Energy based in Aberdeen.”
Mr Stone said: “This is a very disappointing and backward-looking statement. It seems to completely disregard the fact that the Moray Firth and the Cromarty Firth will be the future of renewable energy generation.
“What’s more, the Cromarty Firth beat Aberdeen in the race to be one of Scotland’s two Green Freeports, making this decision quite illogical.
“I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come in terms of Labour’s attitude to the Highlands. I would invite a reconsideration from the UK government.”
Sir Keir also told the conference that the energy system will be reformed “so our country has more control over its security”.
In March last year, when he was opposition leader, Sir Keir visited Caithness and set out plans to double the number of UK renewable energy jobs under a Labour government.
He described renewables as “an incredible opportunity” for cheaper bills and energy independence as he toured the Beatrice operations and maintenance base at Wick harbour before being taken offshore in a crew transfer vessel for a close-up view of the wind farm itself.
He also highlighted how effectively skills from the oil and gas sector could be transferred to renewable power.
Ed Miliband, now the energy secretary, also took part in the visit to Wick in 2023 in his then role as shadow secretary of state for climate change and net-zero.
“I think it’s incredibly exciting what we’re seeing here,” Mr Miliband said after touring the Beatrice base. “What we’ve seen today is the future.”
