In a move that has stirred controversy and garnered significant attention, the UK has granted approval for a contentious oil and gas development project off the coast of
Scotland. The decision comes despite mounting pressure from environmental campaigners, including prominent activist Greta Thunberg, urging the project's cancellation.
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has given the green light for Equinor and Ithaca Energy to proceed with the Rosebank oil field venture, situated northwest of the Shetland Islands. Rosebank is believed to harbor a substantial reserve of up to 350 million barrels of oil, making it one of the largest untapped discoveries in UK waters. However, this approval is expected to reignite debates surrounding the country's commitment to achieving a net-zero emissions target.
Just last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scaled back the UK's short-term plans aimed at reaching the 2050 net-zero target, citing them as "long-term decisions for a brighter future."
Norwegian energy firm Equinor intends to invest $3.8 billion (£3.1 billion) in the Rosebank development, emphasizing the "significant benefits" it will bring to both Scotland and the UK as a whole.
The decision has sparked protests across the UK, with Greta Thunberg among those opposing the Rosebank project. Demonstrators have voiced concerns over its environmental impact and the UK's commitment to combatting climate change.
Geir Tungesvik, Executive Vice President in Projects, Drilling, and Procurement at Equinor, stated, "Developing the Rosebank field will allow us to grow our position as a broad energy partner to the UK while optimizing our oil and gas portfolio and increasing energy supply in Europe."
An NSTA spokesperson clarified, "We have today approved the Rosebank Field Development Plan (FDP), allowing the owners to proceed with their project. The FDP is awarded in accordance with our published guidance and takes net-zero considerations into account throughout the project's lifecycle."
Equinor estimates that Rosebank could produce 69,000 barrels of oil per day, roughly 8% of the UK's projected daily output from 2026 to 2030, in addition to generating 44 million cubic feet of gas daily. The company also claims that the project will support 1,600 jobs during the construction phase, with 450 jobs sustained for the field's operational lifespan.
The UK Government has welcomed the decision, highlighting the rigorous scrutiny the project underwent, including an extensive environmental impact assessment and a period of public consultation before receiving approval. It stressed that all new projects, including Rosebank, will align with the natural decline of the North Sea basin.
Claire Coutinho, Energy Security Secretary, commented, "We are investing in our world-leading renewable energy, but, as the independent Climate Change Committee recognizes, we will need oil and gas as part of that mix on the path to net zero. It makes sense to use our own supplies from North Sea fields such as Rosebank. The jobs and billions of pounds this is worth to our economy will enable us to have greater energy independence, making us more secure against tyrants like Vladimir Putin."
However, environmental activists have expressed strong opposition to the development, condemning the decision. Philip Evans, a climate campaigner at Greenpeace UK, criticized Rishi Sunak for prioritizing oil company profits over environmental and climate concerns. Evans argued that relying on fossil fuels poses risks to energy security, the cost of living, and the climate, suggesting that the fossil fuel lobby holds significant influence over government decisions. Photo by Lis Burke, Wikimedia commons.