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Motion · S6M-18800 · 10 Sep 2025

The Insights of the Report of the Energy Transition Institute at Robert Gordon University, Striking the Balance

Lodged by Liam Kerr (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) Members' Business Motion 23 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament notes the report, Striking the Balance, which was produced by the Energy Transition Institute at Robert Gordon University; understands that it provides predictions for the future of the offshore energy workforce in the UK, which, it states, employs around 154,000 people, including in the North East Scotland region; understands that the report states that a best case outcome could see a need for 210,000 roles in offshore energy production, but that this would only be achievable through the installation of a further 6GW approximately of offshore wind each year and by managing the decline of oil and gas production over a prolonged timeframe; notes the report’s claim that the worst-case situation anticipates around 400 oil and gas job losses in the UK each fortnight across the next five years; acknowledges with concern the report’s claim that, if Scotland does not pursue renewable activities comprehensively and oil and gas production continues to decline, employment across the offshore energy industry could drop from around 75,000 jobs in 2024 to a figure in the range of 45,000 to 63,000 in the initial years of the next decade; welcomes the growth predicted in the report of the number of offshore renewables jobs in the UK, notes with concern, however, the suggestion in the report that the sector will likely struggle to absorb the amount of former oil and gas workers before 2028; recognises the report’s cautioning that a decrease in offshore energy jobs of nearly 20% could take place without decisive or prompt action, and commends the work of the Energy Transition Institute in producing what it sees as rigorous data regarding a pressing issue in Scotland.

Supporters (23)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.