New UK gas and oil projects are a ‘no-brainer’, says EDF boss
Developing North Sea fields does not contradict net zero goals, according to Simone Rossi New oil and gas projects are a “no-brainer” that pose “no contradiction” to the net zero agenda, according to the head of EDF Energy. Simone Rossi has joined a string of renewables leaders in making the case for more North Sea production as the government prepares to decide on two projects there. Continue…
EDF Energy's Simone Rossi insists that new North Sea gas and oil projects are a "no-brainer" and do not contradict the UK's net zero goals, according to a recent BBC interview. Rossi argues that while weaning off fossil fuel dependency will take decades, using available resources is preferable to importing them from other countries.
He claims that locally produced fossil fuels have lower emissions compared to imports due to reduced transportation distances. Rossi believes that supporting heat pumps and electric vehicles should be accelerated alongside North Sea production to help households dealing with energy bill hikes. He also points out that these projects would generate jobs and increase government tax revenue.
EDF Energy, a major UK low-carbon electricity generator, owns 8 gigawatts of clean energy capacity, including eight nuclear power plants and two gigawatts of wind, solar, and battery storage. Other high-profile advocates for North Sea production include Octopus Energy founder Greg Jackson, former GB Energy boss Jürgen Maier, and RenewableUK CEO Tara Singh.
The UK government is set to decide on Rosebank and Jackdaw projects within weeks, with support from various political figures, including former Chancellor Rachel Reeves and defence secretary Wes Streeting.
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