GB Energy chairman Juergen Maier has revealed that Labour’s commitment to creating 1,000 jobs in Aberdeen could take up to 20 years to fulfill.
The pledge, part of Sir Keir Starmer’s flagship green energy initiative, aims to lower energy bills by as much as £300 and transition workers from oil and gas to renewable energy roles. However, Maier described the project as a “very long-term” endeavor and refrained from providing a specific timeline for when UK households would see energy cost reductions.
GB Energy to Focus on Investment, Not Energy Supply
Unlike traditional energy providers, GB Energy will not supply power directly to homes. Instead, the state-owned company will focus on investing in renewable energy projects and attracting private investors. Labour has positioned GB Energy as a key player in the UK’s transition away from fossil fuels, with Aberdeen set to be the hub for these efforts.
The Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce has voiced concerns over the slow progress of the initiative. Chief executive Russell Borthwick stated that while GB Energy’s ambition is commendable, there is an urgent need for “quick wins” to provide confidence to the energy sector and its workforce.
Only 200–300 Jobs Expected in First Five Years
Despite Labour’s pledge of 1,000 jobs in Aberdeen, Maier clarified that GB Energy is expected to create just 200 to 300 positions within the next five years. When pressed for a long-term outlook, he admitted that reaching the 1,000-job milestone could take decades.
“Energy companies grow over 10 or 20 years, and we are going to be around in 20 years,” Maier stated, reinforcing that Labour’s job creation target is a gradual process rather than an immediate economic boost.
Unions Warn of Potential Failure to Deliver
Trade unions have raised concerns about whether GB Energy can meet its job creation promises. Unite’s Scottish Secretary, Derek Thomson, warned that unless GB Energy accelerates its hiring plans, the northeast of Scotland could face economic decline.
Prospect, a union representing over 22,000 energy industry workers, also criticized the lack of a concrete action plan. Scotland Secretary Richard Hardy stated that failing to deliver 1,000 jobs could be seen as a political failure.
“If what happens is that it only creates 200 or 300 jobs, then I think most people would see that as being a failure,” Hardy said, emphasizing the high stakes for the Labour government.
Conservative MPs Slam GB Energy as a ‘Gimmick’
The Conservative Party has condemned GB Energy’s long-term job creation timeline, arguing that the project is more about political optics than real economic impact. West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie dismissed the initiative as a “gimmick” that offers little benefit to the region’s energy sector.
“Suspicions that GB Energy would bring nothing more to Aberdeen than a small office with a plaque are proving to be absolutely correct,” Bowie said, criticizing the lack of immediate progress.
Government Defends GB Energy’s Future Vision
In response to criticism, a Downing Street spokesperson reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building GB Energy into a leading publicly owned energy company. The spokesperson acknowledged that job creation would be a long-term effort but emphasized that Aberdeen is already seeing the benefits of the initiative.
“In the long term, our ambition is to build GB Energy up to the scale and size of the world’s leading publicly owned energy companies,” the spokesperson stated.
Labour’s Energy Vision Under Scrutiny
With mounting pressure from unions, business leaders, and opposition MPs, GB Energy’s ability to deliver on its promises remains uncertain. As Labour aims to reshape the UK’s energy sector, questions persist over whether its ambitious green transition plan can provide the economic boost that Aberdeen and its workforce urgently need.
