E: Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
E: Secretary of State for Scotland
E: Minister for Energy
27 September 2024
Dear Mr Miliband,
Thank you for your letter of 9 September. We welcome your focus on Grangemouth as a key test for the approach to managing the social and economic aspects of the energy transition and look forward to reviewing the just transition plan agreed by the Grangemouth Future Industries Board once available.
Earlier this year Scotland’s Just Transition Commission visited Shetland and earlier this week we published a briefing sharing findings and key messages. Shetland represents a key “just transition” challenge, being an area at the heart of North Sea oil and gas exploration and key onshore wind developments, whilst also having one of Scotland’s highest fuel poverty rates. We believe the experience of Shetland provides salutary lessons for the entire country.
The Commission’s briefing is published here: A Just Transition for Shetland – Just Transition Commission
We also commissioned independent research into Shetland’s experience of the energy transition, with a focus on different approaches to community benefit and community wealth building. This research is published here: Shetland, Community Benefit, and the Energy Transition – Just Transition Commission
These publications identify a number of key strategic opportunities for action at all levels of government to help ensure the benefits of renewable energy developments are shared equitably and safeguard public support for major infrastructure development.
We are writing to propose a meeting with you and your officials to discuss these issues and will be grateful if your officials can liaise with our secretariat to find a suitable time.
Sincerely,
Professor Dave Reay and Satwat Rehman
Co-Chairs of the Just Transition Commission