Lack of investment in renewables putting 75,000 potential jobs at risk
Renewable jobs could outnumber oil and gas jobs by the end of the decade
Findings from a new report show a potential 50% growth in offshore jobs by the end of the decade, but only if investment in the sector increases drastically.
However, Powering up the Workforce from Robert Gordon University (RGU) also shows that inaction and a continued lack of investment could lose the sector nearly 100,000 jobs.
A report from Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) showed a potential spend of £200 billion in the sector this decade, although half of that is still waiting on approval.
According to the report, that investment could be key to unleashing the potential of the offshore sector in the UK, driving employment up to 225,000 from 150,000.
Inaction could cost 95,000 jobs
Professor Paul de Leeuw, Director of the RGU Energy Transition Institute, co-authored the report: "This report presents a range of workforce outcomes that could materialise over the coming years," he said.
"There is a huge prize up for grabs and we want to equip decision makers – whether in government, industry or in individual businesses – with new insight to convert those opportunities into reality.
"With investment at risk and wind projects facing delays, the findings underline the present-day situation for the UK offshore energy industry and its stakeholders.
"The big prize of a significant jobs gain is still within our collective reach. Inaction or simply slow progress will mean that offshore energy job numbers overall could drop by 15% to 130,000 by 2030, making the path towards net zero even harder to negotiate."
'No simple choice between oil and gas or renewables'
Reacting to the report, oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood said: "Owing to a world-class oil and gas sector, the North East of Scotland is home to the critical mass in skills and expertise that will be crucial in ensuring we successfully accelerate new and green energies, protecting and creating jobs as we do so.
"This report is a hugely valuable contribution in terms of how best to realise this ambition and serves as an important reminder that, until renewables are available at scale, we must continue to support our oil and gas sector as part of a managed and just transition."
David Whitehouse, CEO of OEUK said: "Meeting more of our needs from energy produced in the UK means more jobs in the UK.
"The UK offshore energy sector embraces the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition.
"Not only in oil and gas but the future opportunities in wind, carbon storage, and a hydrogen economy.
"But this report shows that we must embrace the opportunity to work with all energy sectors or risk losing 95,000 highly skilled jobs in the UK by 2030.
"When looking at our future energy networks and supplies, there is no simple choice between oil and gas or renewables.
"The reality is that to keep our homes warm, the lights on, and our economy growing, we need both – this report clearly shows that cross-energy sector cooperation is the route to delivering high skilled jobs, a growing economy, and a successful energy transition."