
Scottish National Party leadership hopeful Humza Yousaf appeared in Aberdeen to meet with the trade body Offshore Energies UK.
In the Granite City, Mr Yousaf spent some time with the external relations director for Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), Jenny Stanning, as well as OEUK member Wartsila, a manufacturing and servicing company.
It is said that โOEUK welcomed the engagementโ and the organisation extended an offer to all SNP leadership candidates as well as Scotlandโs political parties to come and meet with the companies driving Scotlandโs offshore energy ambitions.
Currently, Yousaf is competing in a three-way race with Kate Forbes and Ash Ragan to determine who will take over from Nichola Sturgeon as the leader of the SNP and ultimately take on the role of first minister of Scotland.
Jenny Stanning, OEUK External Relations Director: โIt is great to have engagement with politicians of all parties on Scotlandโs energy future, including all candidates looking to be the next SNP leader and Scotlandโs First Minister.
โWeโre pleased Humza Yousaf recognised the need to rapidly scale up renewable electricity, strengthen Scotlandโs energy security, and ensure we support our brilliant skilled workforce to reap the benefits of an expanding and competitive offshore energy sector.
โAs we build that future there is no simple choice between oil and gas or renewables. The reality is that to keep the lights on and grow our economy, we need both.
โBy the mid 2030s, oil and gas will still provide for 50% of our energy needs. This is why the Scottish Governmentโs final energy strategy must acknowledge the continuing role of oil and gas in Scotlandโs economy and encourage investment in the homegrown production needed to avoid costlier, less secure, and higher carbon imports.
โThis will support the infrastructure we need to make cleaner, more affordable energy in Scotland in a way that retains the economic contribution, jobs and expertise here.โ
At the start of this year, OEUK argued with the Scottish Governmentโs proposed energy strategy, saying it was concerned with โthe statementโs suggestion of accelerating the decline in oil and gas production.โ
At the time Ms Stanning said: โWe need to ensure that the final strategy acknowledges the continuing role of oil and gas in Scotlandโs economy โ as well as our sectorโs role in a rapid transition to a low-carbon future.โโ
This week OEUK also levelled criticism at the UK government following the announcement of Westminsterโs Spring Budget.
The trade body said it was โdisappointedโ by chancellor Jeremy Huntโs document, claiming it โmisses the markโ on energy security.
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