The head of EDF Energy, Simone Rossi, has described new oil and gas projects as a "no-brainer" that present "no contradiction" to the net-zero agenda. Rossi has joined other renewables leaders in advocating for increased North Sea production as the government prepares to make decisions on two projects.
Rossi stated in a BBC interview that ministers should approve the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields. He also called for accelerated support for heat pumps and electric vehicles, noting that it will take decades to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. He argued that using domestic resources is preferable to importing them.
According to Rossi, new North Sea developments could generate jobs and increase government tax revenue, which could then be used to assist households with energy bills. He also suggested that locally produced fossil fuels have lower emissions than imports due to reduced transportation distances. EDF Energy generates approximately one-fifth of the UK's low-carbon electricity.
The government is anticipated to decide on the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects within weeks. These projects already hold licences, granted under the Conservative government, meaning they could receive final approval without breaching the Labour party's manifesto.