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ReutersThe UK govt’s power minister has stated there can be “announcements soon” on the way forward for Grangemouth.
Michael Shanks, who could also be the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, stated the federal government was once exploring a spread of “exciting and viable” tasks to safe a long-term transition for the web page.
Owners of the refinery, Petroineos, ceased crude oil processing in April, with a deliberate closure this summer time ensuing within the lack of 430 jobs.
Shanks stated greater than 80 doable buyers within the web page had come ahead, with Scottish Enterprise dealing with due diligence on proposed tasks.
However the Scottish Conservatives have criticised Labour’s strategy to Grangemouth, pronouncing it’s “managed decline”.
Both the United Kingdom and Scottish governments have pledged tens of millions of kilos to reinforce the web page, whilst the result of a £1.5m feasibility find out about – taking a look at doable low-carbon choice makes use of – was once revealed in March.
Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday Show, Shanks stated discussions with buyers on Grangemouth’s long term was once ongoing and that they had been centered at the “long-term”.
He stated: “We’ve had some really positive meetings around potential investors, in fact there’s more than 80 investors who have come forward.
“I’m hopeful we can have some bulletins quickly. We have some actually thrilling, viable tasks coming ahead that can ship jobs at Grangemouth lengthy into the long run.”
Earlier this week, Jan Robertson, Grangemouth director for Scottish Enterprise, said she had received a “mix of inquiries” from businesses, including those interested in the site as well as some which “have a excellent alternative to turn into tasks within the fairly near-term”.
“What I imply via that’s the subsequent 3 to 4 years,” she told Holyrood’s economy and fair work committee.
“Our means very a lot at the present time is operating with the ones and dealing as carefully and temporarily as we will be able to to make the development that we wish to see in Grangemouth.”
Scotland’s Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said at the committee that the “door’s now not closed” to companies and inquiries could still be made about working at Grangemouth, adding that Petroineos had also received approaches.
Ms Martin said she was hopeful for the future of Grangemouth.
“We may just glance again 5 years and get started pointing hands, however crucial factor is that within the remaining 12 months – in fact the remaining six months – Project Willow and the duty power have moved issues alongside in some way that is been swift, agile, centered,” she stated.
“I’m feeling so a lot more assured than I did this time remaining 12 months within the potentialities for that web page.”
PA MediaShanks’ remarks come days after the UK government confirmed £200m would be provided to progress the Acorn Carbon Capture and Storage scheme in Aberdeenshire.
Acorn said part of that investment – which it claimed would secure 18,000 jobs in the energy sector that would otherwise have been lost – would involve capturing CO2 at Grangemouth and transporting it to storage facilities under the North Sea.
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the Acorn scheme – which will be based at the St Fergus gas terminal near Peterhead – would “reinforce commercial renewal in Scotland”.
Shanks said the Acorn investment, announced as part of chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review, was designed to lure in further funding from private investment.
He described it as “construction investment” and said he was “assured” other investors would come forward.
Shanks also said current North Sea oil and gas projects would be allowed to run to completion but reiterated that no further licenses for drilling would be granted.
Reeves’ spending review also committed £14.2bn of investment to build the new Sizewell C nuclear plant on the Suffolk coastline, creating 10,000 jobs.
Shanks said that Scotland was missing out on similar investment, and repeated calls for the Scottish government to end its “ideological place” of presumption against nuclear power.
The SNP has lengthy rejected calls to finish its efficient ban, pronouncing funding can be “higher positioned in spaces of renewable power”.
Shanks stated: “I’m now not going to make any apologies for the federal government making an investment in nuclear the place hundreds of extremely professional jobs may well be delivered together with in Scotland if it wasn’t for the ideological place of the SNP to dam new nuclear.
“We could be delivering those well paid, skilled jobs here in Scotland but they’ve turned their face against that and they’ll have to answer for that.”
Jackie Dunbar, the SNP MSP for Aberdeen Donside stated that the cash spent on nuclear vegetation was once a “waste” which might now not exchange what other people pay for power in Scotland.
She stated: “The evidence shows that nuclear is expensive, takes decades to build and the toxic waste is a risk to local communities. The SNP is clear that Scotland’s future should be in cheaper, safer and cleaner renewables which support more jobs.”
‘Tone deaf’
The Scottish Conservatives’ power spokesman, Douglas Lumsden, described Shanks’ feedback as “tone deaf,” accusing the Labour govt of “economic vandalism”.
He reiterated calls via Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch for brand spanking new licences to be issued for oil drilling within the North Sea.
He stated: “Labour has sold our oil and gas industry down the river – and the SNP’s cheering them on.
“Michael Shanks talks about managing the transition, however that is controlled decline. At this tempo, we will lose 400 jobs each two weeks, like shutting Grangemouth two times a month.
“We need to bin the Energy Profits Levy and lift the ban on new licences – before it’s too late.”
The newest escalation within the Middle East has despatched oil costs hovering with questions on what that would imply for the sector financial system.
The UK power minister Michael Shanks advised the BBC’s Sunday Show his division is “preparing for all scenarios” as there may be worry motorists may well be hit arduous with a doubling of the associated fee on the pumps.
As many focal point on existence “beyond oil”, it is a stark reminder that it is nonetheless the essential gas for the sector financial system.
Opponents have claimed this govt does not again the North Sea sufficient and that expanding manufacturing in the neighborhood may supply power safety.
He stated it isn’t important the place the oil comes from as it is nonetheless topic to the volatility of world oil markets.
As Scotland is instructed into that post-oil international, the minister additionally expressed his reinforce for the north-east sector to verify there is a “just transition”.
He was once as soon as once more essential of the SNP’s stance in opposition to nuclear – however there may be worry the United Kingdom govt is directing an excessive amount of of an funding against that as a part of the United Kingdom’s power combine.
Meanwhile, because the pipeline on the former Grangemouth oil refinery runs dry as manufacturing ends there was once some excellent information.
Michael Shanks is hopeful of a press release quickly on its long term.
His govt’s made £200m to be had to check out to create a long-term long term for the realm and Scottish Enterprise is carrying out “due diligence” on doable buyers.
The closing business will watch with hobby to look if this works – and pass judgement on how “just” this transition is.
