EDF Energy chief executive Simone Rossi says new North Sea oil and gas projects do not conflict with the UK's net zero goals and has urged ministers to approve the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields. His comments add to a growing list of energy and renewables leaders backing the developments as the government's decision approaches.
Simone Rossi, the chief executive of EDF Energy, has urged the UK government to approve the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields, arguing new North Sea production does not conflict with net zero targets. He said ministers should give both projects the green light while also accelerating support for heat pumps and electric vehicles.
Rossi told the BBC: "For me, it's really a no-brainer. It is not in contradiction." He added that it will take decades to wean the UK off fossil fuel dependency, so the country should use its own resources rather than import them. He said locally produced fuel travels shorter distances and creates fewer emissions than imports.
Renewables leaders line up behind the projects
Rossi has become the latest high-profile advocate for climate action to also make the case for more North Sea production, following Greg Jackson, the founder of Octopus Energy; Jürgen Maier, the former boss of GB Energy; and Tara Singh, the boss of RenewableUK. EDF Energy generates about a fifth of the UK's low-carbon electricity. It runs roughly eight gigawatts of low-carbon generation capacity, including eight nuclear plants with a combined six gigawatts and two gigawatts of wind, solar and battery storage.
Political backing spans party lines
Politicians who have spoken in favor of more North Sea production include former chancellor Rachel Reeves, defence secretary Wes Streeting, former Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey. Their support aligns with Labour's election manifesto, which ruled out new exploration licences but still allowed new oil and gas output from already licensed areas or fields adjacent to existing projects.
Decision due after October byelection
The government is expected to decide on Rosebank and Jackdaw within weeks. The decision was reportedly delayed until after the 8 October Holborn and St Pancras byelection. Both fields already hold licences granted under the previous Conservative government, meaning ministers could approve them without breaching the manifesto.
Ministers have faced pressure from environmental groups and Green party leader Zack Polanski to reject the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and natural gas proposals amid intensifying climate concerns. The developers were required to resubmit their applications earlier this year after a court ordered additional consideration of the climate impact from burning the extracted fuel.
Source: Business | The Guardian
Trading involves risk.
Risk Disclaimer
