GB Energy: Joint vision on partnership with Scottish public bodies

The Scottish Government and DESNZ have a shared objective in ensuring that Great British Energy (GBE) is set up to deliver effectively and maximise the benefits of its activities in Scotland.

The joint objective is intended to secure investment in domestic priority supply chains and infrastructure to increase the pace of delivery of clean energy technologies, and maximise the economic benefits. This include job creation.

GBE’s purpose is to drive clean energy deployment, create jobs, boost energy independence, and ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers and communities can access clean, secure, home-grown energy, as set out in its Founding Statement. 

Developing partnerships with existing Scottish public bodies active within the clean energy sector – including Crown Estate Scotland, the Enterprise Agencies and the Scottish National Investment Bank – is one way in which GBE can deliver quickly and effectively, avoid duplication, and deliver maximum impact and value for money from Scottish projects. Scotland already has a strong pipeline of clean energy and supply chain opportunities and is at the forefront of floating offshore wind development.

DESNZ and the Scottish Government will be exploring opportunities for GBE to partner with these Scottish public bodies, as well as the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). These partnerships will aim to deliver increased investment in the clean energy supply chain in Scotland and related areas.  

The Scottish Government and DESNZ will also continue to engage on areas of mutual interest as GBE’s activities and commercial models develop.

This agreement makes no changes to the devolved or reserved competences of either party, and the agreement will operate consistently with the rules of the devolution settlement.

Potential investment activities which could be supported through a partnership between GBE and the Scottish public bodies include:

• the clean energy supply chain, including ports infrastructure, manufacturing and construction activities
• land to support these activities
• services that support supply chain development, such as digital
• community and local energy projects

The clean energy supply chain includes ports and harbours, wider clean energy infrastructure, manufacturing, fabrication and construction activities.

GBE will be operationally independent, with the ability to make decisions on its own activities, within the legal framework set out in the GBE Bill, and respecting the Scottish Ministers’ devolved competences.

Where there is any formal collaboration between the Scottish Government and DESNZ on supply chain and infrastructure investment activity, this will be developed and agreed on a case-by-case basis bringing in other delivery partners as required.

Image Credit: GB Energy vision statement | Scottish Government | Flickr