UK risks offshore energy jobs crisis

Robert Gordon University’s Striking the Balance report highlights major risks facing the UK’s offshore energy sector and the widening gap between government policy and real-world delivery on the energy transition.

“The UK’s lack of joined-up action means that the window of opportunity for delivering a just transition is closing,” said Professor Paul de Leeuw, director of the Energy Transition Institute.

“Inaction or simply slow progress will mean that UK offshore energy job numbers overall could drop by almost 20% to 125,000 by 2030.”

Urgent action needed

The report outlines three workforce scenarios – low, mid and high – against a backdrop of up to GB£350 billion in potential investment in offshore renewables and fossil fuels between 2025 and 2035.

Under the high-case scenario, job numbers could exceed 210,000 – but only with accelerated offshore wind deployment and sustained oil and gas activity, similar to energy policies in Norway and Denmark.

The report warns that while the offshore renewables workforce could increase from 39,000 in 2024 to 153,000 by 2035, the offshore oil and gas workforce could drop from 115,000 to as low as 57,000.

Scotland, where 1 in 30 people are employed in offshore energy, is particularly exposed, with workforce numbers projected to decline by up to 40% unless action is taken.

The report calls for rapid investment and stronger policy alignment to support the UK’s energy transition and secure the future of the offshore energy sector.