Keir Starmer’s GB Energy Jobs Promise Could Take Two Decades, Admits Company Boss

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Labour’s plan to create 1,000 jobs in Aberdeen through its flagship GB Energy initiative could take up to 20 years, according to the company’s chairman. The state-owned energy firm, central to Labour’s green agenda, aims to help workers transition from the oil and gas sector while investing in renewable projects. However, Juergen Maier, appointed by Downing Street to lead the start-up, has acknowledged that delivering on this jobs pledge will be a long-term effort.  

 

Sir Keir Starmer has positioned GB Energy as a key element of Labour’s commitment to lowering household energy bills, promising reductions of up to £300. The initiative, headquartered in northeast Scotland, is part of a broader mission to provide lasting financial relief to families, rather than just short-term savings. Despite this ambitious vision, Maier, in his first broadcast interview, refrained from specifying when consumers would see tangible benefits.  

 

"I know that you are asking me for a date as to when I can bring that, but GB Energy has only just been brought into creation and we will bring energy bills down," Maier told Sky News, emphasizing the project's long-term nature.  

 

Unlike traditional energy suppliers, GB Energy will not provide power directly to households. Instead, it aims to fund renewable projects while attracting private investment. Labour hopes the initiative will play a key role in shifting the workforce away from oil and gas, but concerns remain among those currently employed in the industry. The Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce estimates that around 50,000 local workers are involved in the sector, many of whom feel uncertain about the transition.  

 

Russell Borthwick, chief executive of the chamber, acknowledged the promise behind GB Energy but stressed the need for immediate progress. "I think the [GB Energy] ambition is good. It needs some quick wins. Right now, this city is nervous. We need to give the industry more confidence that things are going to start moving more quickly," he said. He added that while there have been positive discussions with GB Energy, the next six months will be crucial in demonstrating real action.  

 

The UK government has also maintained its stance on the 1,000-jobs target, with Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP recently reiterating that the ambition remains unchanged. However, when pressed on the timeline for job creation, Maier provided a cautious outlook.

 

"Great British Energy itself is going to create over the next five years, 200 or 300 jobs in Aberdeen. That will be the size of our team," he said, suggesting that further expansion would take much longer. When asked directly if fulfilling the full 1,000-job commitment could take two decades, he confirmed, "Absolutely."  

 

Expanding on this, Maier explained: "Look, we grow these companies. Energy companies grow over 10 or 20 years, and we are going to be around in 20 years." His remarks underscore the scale of Labour’s ambition but also highlight the gradual nature of the transition.  

 

For now, Aberdeen remains in a state of anticipation, with local workers and industry leaders seeking clearer timelines and immediate actions to support the region’s evolving energy sector. Whether GB Energy can deliver on its promises within a reasonable timeframe remains to be seen.

 

Based on a report by Sky News 2025-02-04