Great British Energy Opens Its Doors in Aberdeen

In a statement posted on its website recently, Great British Energy announced that it had opened its doors in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The publicly owned energy company hosted a reception at its recently opened headquarters in Marischal Square, “bringing together industry leaders, partners, and stakeholders who have supported Great British Energy since its inception”, the statement revealed.

Great British Energy noted in its statement that it had established its headquarters in Aberdeen “because the city has the people and expertise that have powered the nation for generations”.

“Nowhere is better placed to deliver the UK’s energy future,” Great British Energy said in the statement.

The company said it is committed to “bringing tangible benefits to Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland, including creating employment through its headquarters, wider projects and partnerships with groups across the city like working with the local research base to foster and support regional knowledge and technical expertise”.

“Supporting the next generation of the energy workforce is central to what Great British Energy is working to achieve,” it added.

Great British Energy also confirmed in its statement that it will aim for five percent of its own workforce to be in entry-level and early-career pathways, “offering opportunities for young people in Aberdeen and the wider region to build careers at the forefront of the energy transition”.

In its statement, Great British Energy announced a partnership focused on supporting the next generation of energy workers in the North East of Scotland, backed by GBP 750,000 ($995,242).

“Great British Energy has … confirmed it will work with a range of local partners, focused on training, skills, and employability in the Aberdeen area,” the company said in the statement.

“This aims to get people, including young people and NEETs, into energy and related sectors, while tackling barriers faced by those from disadvantaged communities,” it added.

In the statement, Dan McGrail, CEO of Great British Energy, said, “we are working to build a lasting legacy in Aberdeen, creating jobs, backing young people into careers in renewable energy, and being an active member of the community here for years to come”.

“This city has powered the UK for generations, and we’re here because Britain’s energy future lies in working alongside the people and communities who know this industry best,” he added.

“I look forward to working with our regional partners to open up opportunities for people across the North East to access careers in the energy industry,” he continued.

“I am proud that Great British Energy will welcome young people into our team and support them as they develop rewarding careers in the sector. Together, we are helping to build a secure energy future for the UK while creating the skilled workforce needed to deliver it,” he went on to state.

Juergen Maier, Chair of Great British Energy, said in the statement, “as a publicly owned company, Great British Energy exists to deliver lasting value for the people of Britain and having Aberdeen as our home reflects that mission”.

“It puts us at the heart of a community with decades of energy expertise, and it means the benefits of our work, new jobs, new skills and new opportunities for young people, are felt right here where they matter most. This is a long-term commitment and today marks just the start of that journey,” he added.

UK Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said in the statement, “for more than half a century Aberdeen has been at the heart of Britain’s energy system - the skills and expertise here is why this city will remain the energy powerhouse of the future”. 

“As publicly owned Great British Energy opens its doors to the city, we are backing young people to be part of this next chapter, alongside skilled oil and gas workers,” Fahnbulleh added.

“It’s an important step-up in support and training for the thousands of good energy jobs opening up in Scotland and across the country,” Fahnbulleh continued.

Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander noted in the statement that “this is great news for Aberdeen, great news for Scotland, and great news for the United Kingdom”.

“Aberdeen is our energy capital and has helped power our country for decades. Now the granite City is also providing a home to our publicly owned energy company, Great British Energy, that serves the whole of the United Kingdom,” he added.

“Great British Energy is not only creating jobs right now, but also looking to the future, and is investing in skills that will be needed by the workforce in an ever changing energy sector,” he continued.

In a separate statement posted on its site recently, Great British Energy announced that it had hosted a visit by UK’s king at its new headquarters in Aberdeen.

“His majesty unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit,” Great British Energy noted in the statement.

“This was created by designers at Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University. It represents Aberdeen’s journey through the decades of energy expertise,” it added.

The statement highlighted that, during the visit, the king “had the opportunity to hear about the work of Great British Energy, including its work on community energy and improving access to employment opportunities in renewable energy, especially in the North East of Scotland”.  

McGrail said in this statement, “it was an honor to welcome His Majesty the King to our new headquarters in Aberdeen”.

“It was a privilege to have the opportunity to share some of the brilliant work which we are doing at Great British Energy.,” he added.

“Having His Majesty in our office was an incredibly proud moment for everyone at Great British Energy. The plaque his majesty unveiled will be displayed in our reception for our colleagues and visitors to admire from today and into the future,” he continued.

UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said in this statement that “it was a great privilege to welcome His Majesty the King to Great British Energy headquarters, as Britain’s publicly-owned energy company opens its doors in Aberdeen”.  

“This was a moment to mark some of Great British Energy’s achievements to date - from supporting community energy groups to helping young people access new opportunities in renewable energy and marks the start of the next phase as it delivers a clean energy future owned by the people of this country,” he added.

In a statement posted on its site back on May 15, Great British Energy marked its first year as the UK’s “publicly owned clean energy company”.

“Established through the Great British Energy Act 2025, the company has moved quickly from foundation to delivery - backing clean power projects, investing in British supply chains, and helping to put money back into public services across the country,” that statement noted.

The company highlighted in that statement that, over the last year, through Great British Energy funding, 225 schools and colleges and 162 NHS sites in England had “completed solar installations to cut energy bills with more set to be completed over the coming months”. 

That statement announced a further GBP 25 million ($33.1 million) of Great British Energy and government funding to deliver solar installations at up to 40 more NHS sites.

“This brings the total number of solar scheme NHS sites to over 300 with up to an estimated GBP 360 million [$477.7 million] in lifetime net bill savings,” that statement pointed out. 

This statement also highlighted several milestones the company had hit in its first 12 months, including the publication of its first strategic plan, the launch of a GBP 1 billion ($1.3 billion) Energy Engineered in the UK program to support UK manufacturing and supply chain, and the creation of the Great British Energy Aberdeen Taskforce, Stakeholder Advisory Group, and Trade Union Advisory Committee.

“Through its Strategic Plan, published in December last year, Great British Energy set out how it will help deliver the government's clean power mission to 2030 and beyond through prioritizing onshore, offshore, local, and supply chain activity,” this statement said.

That statement also noted that Great British Energy would open its permanent headquarters in Aberdeen later in 2026. It described the city as a “world-leading energy hub that has been crucial to the UK’s energy security for decades, with an abundance of local talent and business expertise to draw from”. 

McGrail said in this statement, “one year on, Great British Energy is delivering what it was designed to do - backing clean power, supporting jobs, and helping to build an energy system that is fit for the future”.

“The second year is about turning momentum into legacy, setting the pathway so that every citizen can feel the benefit of public ownership with purpose,” he added.

Maier noted in this statement that Great British Energy “was created to be an enduring national institution”.

“In our first year, we’ve been clear about our purpose and how we work as a trusted partner to industry, governments and communities,” he added.

“By investing for the long term, we can help ensure the UK captures the economic and industrial benefits of the clean energy transition,” he continued.

To contact the author, email andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com