{"id":58167,"title":"Swinney signals backing for North Sea projects while criticising UK energy policy","publisher":"Stockmark.IT","author":"Stockmark.IT Website","published":"2026-09-02T06:08:10+00:00","modified":"2026-09-02T06:08:10+00:00","canonical_url":"https://stockmark.it/swinney-hints-at-support-for-jackdaw-and-rosebank/","markdown_url":"https://stockmark.it/swinney-hints-at-support-for-jackdaw-and-rosebank.md","json_url":"https://stockmark.it/swinney-hints-at-support-for-jackdaw-and-rosebank.json","category":"Energy","categories":["Energy","Oil & Gas"],"featured_image":"https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/swinney-signals-backing-for-north-sea-projects-while-1.png?fit=1536%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"Scottish first minister John Swinney has indicated support for the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas developments, asserting that domestic energy supplies will remain essential for the foreseeable future. Speaking to parliament, the first minister acknowledged the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels while simultaneously urging the UK Government to accelerate the transition towards renewable energy sources. His remarks were delivered in response to direct questioning regarding the current state of the North Sea industry and the need for clear leadership on new exploration drilling.\n\nThe exchange began when Reform MSP Duncan Massey asked whether the first minister agreed that the North Sea oil and gas sector was in a precarious position. Massey pressed Swinney to show leadership by unambiguously supporting the Jackdaw and Rosebank projects, as well as new exploration activities. In reply, Swinney stated that he had been transparent with parliament regarding his views on North Sea developments. He emphasised that any applications for oil and gas projects must align with the legal obligations associated with the journey to net zero. Swinney noted that while he is not directly involved in the decision-making process, the UK Government is entitled to weigh the emissions from domestic developments against those resulting from importing oil and gas from other jurisdictions.\n\nSwinney stressed the vital importance of maintaining access to domestic oil and gas supply for security reasons. He pointed to vulnerabilities arising from events such as unrest in the Middle East, arguing that these incidents underline the necessity for a stable domestic supply. Although he affirmed that the UK will continue to use oil and gas for years to come, he insisted that the transition to renewable energy must proceed. He criticised the UK Government for controlling the pace of renewable developments, stating that they must accelerate the timescale of these projects. The first minister added that a failure to act quickly was damaging the Scottish economy, a situation he described as visible to everyone.\n\nThese comments follow a day in which both candidates for the position of Scottish Labour leader expressed their support for the Rosebank and Jackdaw developments. The first minister’s stance highlights the complex balance between immediate energy security requirements and long-term climate targets within the UK’s political landscape."}