A 17-year-old from Norwich, who is about to embark on an apprenticeship in the oil and gas industry, spoke at a Westminster high-level energy summitwith the east of England industry leader at the launch of the Back North Sea oil and gas. Not imports campaign.
Brandon Johnson, who has just finished as a ECITB Scholar at REAGIT in Norwich, delivered the perspective of the future workforce at the all-industry roundtable about the importance of a secure supply of affordable, home-produced oil and gas to reduce import dependence, protect UK jobs and foster industrial growth.
Representing the East of England, Kevin Keable, chair of the east of England Energy Group (EEEGR) spoke first to the event before introducing Brandon, a former student at the University Technical College, Norfolk, to give his views.
A strongly worded warning letter to all 403 Labou MPs urging support for domestic oil and gas production from the cross-industry group was then presented to the government signed by North Sea energy industry executives, trade unionists and various trade bodies.
The letter argues that support is crucial for UK manufacturing, industry and the skilled workforce, warning that current decisions will determine the UK’s economic trajectory in the coming decades.
Mr Keable said balanced energy mix was vital for the UK for its energy and national security, economy and jobs.
“Many of our members are businesses which supply services to the oil and gas industry AND the offshore renewables industry. The gas industry in our region creates and sustains over 14,000 jobs. The UK economy is at a cliff edge and decisions made now will be key to the economic success or failure of the UK in the future.
“We must continue striving towards NetZero, Climate Change is real, however we also must be pragmatic; this nation relies on oil and gas and will do for decades. We have the gas here, so we should produce our own, lower carbon, domestic energy – other nations do – for national security., energy security, the UK economy and jobs.
“We were proud that the East of England – where the UK’s gas industry started more than 60 years ago – was part of @OEUK’s Back North Sea oil and gas. Not imports event.”
Involving young people in it campaigns and work was a key commitment by EEEGR, he said.
“Skills is a top priority and developing future workforce should be at the top of everyone’s agenda. Brandon is planning a highly skilled career in this industry and his views deserve to be heard at the highest level.”
Brandon said: “It was a privilege to have the voice of a young person listened to.”
“It was an incredibly insightful day that gave me a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
“One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of having a balanced energy mix. As demand for energy continues to grow, every part of the energy sector has a role to play in meeting the needs of society. I hope to see the industry continue to thrive while we still rely on oil and gas in our everyday lives,” said Brandon, who was also interviewed on camera for organisers Offshore Energies UK (OEUK).
Mr Keable, whose membership organisation represents businesses working across all sources, said balanced energy mix for our energy and national security, economy and jobs underpinned its campaigning.
The letter tells the government that the UK will need oil and gas for decades and insists the key policy decision is whether these resources are produced domestically or increasingly imported.
Signatories warn that growing reliance on imports could expose the UK to geopolitical risks while undermining jobs, communities and supply chains across the country.
North Sea production is not just a commitment to homegrown energy but also a commitment to UK manufacturing, industrial capability and the skilled workforce that has powered the nation for generations
David Whitehouse, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, said: “Energy security, economic resilience and reindustrialisation depend on maintaining domestic energy production as well as greater investment in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
“We fully support the government’s ambition to build a secure, lower-carbon energy system, but energy transition must follow an ‘all-energy approach’ that builds on existing industrial strengths and strengthens rather than weakens national industrial capability.”
