The two candidates vying to become the next prime minister have been invited to debate the UK’s critical energy future in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the British and Scottish Chambers of Commerce to bring the pair to the Granite City for the event.
Energy security and the transition to “net zero” have featured prominently in the campaign, with the pair expected to face questions around the future of North Sea oil.
‘North Sea is critical’
While chancellor, Mr Sunak faced criticism from energy bosses for his introduction of the windfall tax.
He chose to meet them for crunch talks in Aberdeen earlier this summer.
Ms Truss, who has pledged to “start cutting taxes from day one“, was among those to warn Mr Sunak that he should not bow to pressure to introduce the policy.
Ryan Crighton, policy director at Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “The next prime minister must work closely with business, capitalise on the opportunities of energy transition and ensure that we maximise economic potential.
“We are eager to work with the candidates to achieve these ambitions.
“The North Sea is critical to supplying the UK’s energy needs in the here and now and it will be businesses and the workforce based in Europe’s oil capital, Aberdeen, that will lead the revolution in renewables and low carbon technologies of the future.”
The event, still to be confirmed, would be open to members of the Conservative and Unionist Party besides members of the Chambers, representing the energy sector and key industries.
Carbon capture commitment
Aberdeen Central SNP MSP Kevin Stewart questioned the pair’s commitments to moving away from oil and gas and towards net zero.
He urged the final two candidates to give a “cast iron guarantee” to deliver a £500 million carbon capture scheme for the north-east.
The UK Government was criticised for choosing to reject the bid, which includes the Acorn Project near Peterhead.
He said: “The fact is Rishi Sunak was the man in charge when English sites were inexplicably picked over Scotland and Liz Truss has signalled an abandonment of some net zero commitments – the stakes could not be higher for our climate and Aberdeen’s future success.
“Aberdeen and the north-east cannot afford to be betrayed on net zero funding again, but most importantly neither can our planet.”
The Downing Street hopefuls are already set to come north of the border on August 16 for an event in Perth, the only major husting in Scotland.
The Chambers has asked businesses across the region to share their priorities with the candidates.
It launched a survey which will be anonymously shared directly with ministers and officials, to ensure any new administration knows the challenges facing the region.
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