Dundee bids to become GB Energy HQ

Dundee is bidding to host the headquarters of the new publicly-owned energy company Great British Energy.

A senior councillor said today he was writing to the UK Government to put forward the city’s case for hosting the firm, a move which would create jobs at the forefront of the clean energy revolution.

Great British Energy will be a publicly-owned energy company, designed to drive clean energy deployment, boost energy independence and create jobs.

The UK Government said it would help ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers and communities reap the benefits of clean, secure, home-grown energy.

No base for the company has yet been confirmed, and Convener of Fair Work, Economic Growth & Infrastructure Steven Rome said there were compelling arguments for bringing it to Dundee.

He is writing to Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero of the United Kingdom, to set out the city’s “impressive” proposition.

Councillor Rome said today: “Dundee is already at the heart of the country’s transition to clean energy.

“There’s the renewables hub at the Port of Dundee and the great work going on at MSIP to innovate in sustainable mobility and create the workforce we’ll need in the future, to give just a couple of examples.

“We’ve got impressive strengths across academia, business and climate leadership which would make us the idea home for GB Energy.”

Depute Convener Councillor Siobhan Tolland added: “Dundee currently has less than its fair share of UK Government jobs, and we need strategic support to grow our economy for the future.

“A lasting commitment like this would complement and consolidate the successful employability work that has already happened to date helping people into employment and retaining wealth within the city."

The UK Government has said it plans to allocate £8.3 billion towards GB Energy, with an initial focus on offshore wind.

The government will confirm the exact location in Scotland for GB Energy’s headquarters “in due course”.

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