GB Energy set to move into new Aberdeen city centre headquarters at Marischal Square

Publicly-owned Great British Energy is set to move into its new headquarters in Aberdeen city centre.

GB Energy was created with the aim of speeding up the transition to clean energy by investing in the country’s infrastructure and funding green projects.

It was launched last year under the Labour Government and was formally established in May.

The company has announced that its offices will be situated in the Marischal Square development, across from the city’s Marischal College.

Aberdeen City Council co-leader Ian Yuill said: “Aberdeen is at the forefront of the transition in the energy sector while ensuring the security of the existing oil and gas chain.

“We welcome Great British Energy to the city as part of this essential work to the economy which is vital not only for the securing the expertise locally but good for the future energy needs of the country.”

GB Energy's new headquarters in Aberdeen City Centre. — GB Energy’s new headquarters in Aberdeen City Centre. Aberdeen City Council

Fellow co-leader Christian Allard added: “It’s welcome news that another organisation, Great British Energy, has chosen to move into Marischal Square.

“Marischal Square provides high quality office space within our city, and we are pleased to welcome yet another tenant.”

The new HQ will host GB Energy’s main corporate functions, supply chain activities, and major development projects, including ambitions in deep-water offshore wind.

Great British Energy’s CEO Dan McGrail said: “Aberdeen is the perfect location for Britain’s publicly owned energy company. It is a world-leading energy hub and has been crucial to our energy security for decades and I am delighted Marischal Square will be the location of our permanent headquarters.

“Thousands of engineers, innovators, and technicians call Aberdeen home. That is why we are proud to make this city our home and become a part of the Aberdeen community. Great British Energy will draw on the abundant local talent to provide investment and support for projects across the country.”

GB Energy, which is owned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) but run independently, has set out its targets for the next five years.

They include building a portfolio through investing and owning projects that will be able to deliver at least 15 gigawatts (GW) in clean energy generation and storage capacity.

This is estimated to be enough to power the equivalent of almost ten million homes.

Around £15bn of private finance is expected to be mobilised over time, driven by GB Energy’s spending up to 2030.

Furthermore, under the plans, the body expects to support 10,000 jobs through the projects it funds, including in areas such as the north east, which have been historically dependent on oil and gas.

Energy minister Michael Shanks said: “With Great British Energy’s new permanent headquarters confirmed in Aberdeen, Scotland’s world-class energy expertise and talent will be central to unlocking investment in clean energy and creating jobs both in the city and across the whole of the UK.

“Aberdeen has been central to the country’s energy sector for decades, and the government’s clean energy mission is continuing the city’s legacy of powering Britain.”