MORE than 1,000 jobs could be created in Aberdeen when Great British Energy (GB Energy) is headquartered in the city, according to its chairman.

Juergen Maier, the newly appointed chairman stated that GB Energy’s new Aberdeen base will initially bring “hundreds” of jobs to the region.

Asked about jobs, he said: “It may eventually be a 1,000 or more in the HQ.”

All the key staff will be located there, including the chief executive of the firm, when they are appointed, according to Mr Maier.

“We might start with an interim chief executive that might not be located there but eventually that will be our plan.”

Aberdeen’s selection as the headquarters for GB Energy aligns with the city’s reputation as a hub for the energy sector. The decision is expected to reinforce Aberdeen’s position as a “global energy capital” for years to come. This move is particularly significant as the region navigates the transition from oil and gas to renewable energy sources.

While Aberdeen will serve as the main base for GB Energy, Maier confirmed that the company will also operate sites in Glasgow and Edinburgh. This expansion across Scotland underscores the company’s commitment to harnessing the country’s abundant natural resources and fostering clean energy projects throughout communities.

Commenting, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Russell Borthwick said: “The firms we represent – operators, supply chain and service sector which have supported the North Sea industry over many decades – are taking a keen interest in how GB Energy will work with them to accelerate renewables projects and give confidence to the sector through strong and informed leadership from government which has been sadly lacking over recent years.

“A government willing to remove the obstacles to transition by introducing pace, cutting red tape, greasing the wheels on planning and consenting for projects, while co-funding innovative projects will find willing partners in industry here ready to work with them.”

The establishment of GB Energy is part of the UK government’s strategy to transform Britain into a “clean-energy superpower.” Ed Miliband, the UK’s Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, emphasised that the company aims to achieve a fully decarbonised power system by 2030.

As GB Energy takes shape, its impact on employment and infrastructure in Aberdeen will be closely watched. The company’s growth could play a crucial role in supporting the region’s transition to renewable energy while creating new opportunities in the evolving energy sector.