BP’s proposal could lead to thousands of new green energy jobs
BP (LON:BP) is pledging to invest £10bn to construct an offshore wind farm in Aberdeen in a move that could bring about thousands of new jobs.
Along with its partner, German energy company EnBW, the UK oil giant made a bid for a lease via ScotWind, in the first offshore wind leasing round in Scotland for over ten years.
The news comes as BP continues to be on the receiving end of protests over its continued production of fossil fuels.
The Scottish government is hopeful that wind energy and BP’s investment can help the region to bounce back from the pandemic, while providing a viable economic alternative for the oil and gas industry.
A number of traditional oil and gas companies, including Shell and Equinor, are making proposals to secure the lease before the deadline for applications comes to an end on Friday.
The Crown Estate Scotland will announce the list of winners early in 2022.
Scotland sees the process as pivotal in signalling its level of intent to become a world leader in using offshore wind technology.
BP and EnBW have also agreed to finance a renewable hub being constructed by Forth Ports in the Leith area of Edinburgh.
The FTSE 100 oil company would also increase its electric vehicle charging network to around 2,500 over the next ten years.
Dev Sanyal, BP’s executive vice president for gas and low carbon, said the company’s relationship with Aberdeen city council and its existing remote operating centre based in Aberdeen provides an opportunity the region into a global base for wind power.
“We have a partnership with Aberdeen city which we are very proud of signing in September of last year. We think this partnership will have more as a result of what we can bring in terms of offshore wind energy,” Sanyal said.
“We see a massive opportunity. We have our remote operating centre in Aberdeen today. If you have a remote operating centre using digital tools we can create a base in Scotland that services a much larger canvas than just Scotland.”
The BP share price is up by 2.03% early on Tuesday.
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