Jackdaw, a North Sea gas field 150 miles east of Aberdeen, could supply more than 6% of UK gas at peak production, enough to meet the annual heating needs of 1.4 million homes. Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce cited that figure as it pressed the UK government to approve the field, as a public consultation on the project closed today.
Chamber calls the case "overwhelming"
Chief executive Russell Borthwick said in The Scotsman that the case for approval is "overwhelming." He said UK domestic gas production is falling faster than demand, and that importing more LNG instead of producing gas domestically would mean emissions eight times higher than Jackdaw's. Borthwick said Jackdaw would support British jobs and North Sea infrastructure, plus tax revenue, while the government continues building out renewables. "Approve Jackdaw, back British jobs and investment," he said.
Rosebank consultation follows a week later
A separate public consultation on the Rosebank field, north-west of Shetland, closes a week after Jackdaw's. Borthwick said billions of pounds have already been committed to both projects, and that investors, workers and communities in the North-east are looking to the government for a signal on energy security.
Government points to a "vital national asset"
A UK Government spokesperson called the North Sea "a vital national asset" for jobs and growth, and said it remains important to UK energy security. The spokesperson said oil and gas will keep playing an important role in the UK energy system for decades, alongside renewables, nuclear and other low-carbon technologies, and that the government's focus is on stability for North Sea workers and communities.