As the location of the new headquarters, Aberdeen will be at the heart of the company’s plans to scale up clean homegrown power to boost energy independence, create skilled jobs across the UK and to support economic growth.

Two additional sites will open in Edinburgh and Glasgow, once Great British Energy is up and running, to benefit from local skills and expertise. The company will be initially located in government buildings across the cities, while permanent bases are established.

An interim chief executive will soon be appointed to take the lead on launching the new company and building its Aberdeen base – along with the start-up chair Juergen Maier, former CEO of Siemens UK.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband has introduced the Great British Energy Bill to Parliament and – along with the Prime Minister – confirmed a new partnership with The Crown Estate, to help accelerate new offshore wind farms. The company will attract private investment in the UK’s clean homegrown power, backed by £8.3 billion in government funding over this Parliament.

Aberdeen City Council co-leaders, Councillors Ian Yuill and Christian Allard said: “We are delighted that GB Energy is going to be based in Aberdeen.

“As the energy capital of Europe, Aberdeen is best placed in Scotland to be home to the UK Government’s GB Energy headquarters. Aberdeen has been a magnet for energy investments for decades and the city has already established itself as a renewables hub with businesses investing in offshore wind and green hydrogen.

“This will help secure future investments in the sector and will help confirm Aberdeen as the Net Zero Capital of Europe. Aberdeen’s entrepreneurial and innovative energy businesses have the people, the experience, the skills, and the business know-how in leading the energy transition worldwide.” 

Sir Ian Wood, chairman of ETZ Ltd, said: “It is hugely welcome that GB Energy is to be headquartered in Aberdeen.

“The case for locating the company in the North East of Scotland, as the Prime Minister said, is irresistible given it is home to the largest cluster of energy supply chain companies in the UK and in close proximity to a massive pipeline of renewable projects spanning offshore wind, green hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.

“It is now essential that industry works closely with the UK Government to design GB Energy, ensuring it fulfils its stated ambition as an investment vehicle that accelerates the country’s diversification to green energies. ETZ Ltd has a proven track record of working positively with this region’s supply chain as well as developers of the vast array of transformational renewable projects on our doorstep – we stand ready to play our part in making GB Energy a success.”