Offshore Energies UK has responded to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee’s report, Zero sum game: How the UK can reframe the energy transition, which highlights the need to rebuild public trust by explaining the practical benefits of the UK’s energy transition.
OEUK agrees with the report’s conclusion that recent geopolitical volatility, including the war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East, has increased the focus on energy security. The trade body said a successful transition must be practical as well as ambitious.
Renewables and domestic oil and gas
OEUK said the build-out of world-leading renewables must continue at pace, strengthening the UK’s clean energy leadership. But as long as the UK continues to need oil and gas, it argued, it makes sense to produce more of it at home under UK standards, supporting UK jobs and paying UK taxes, rather than relying increasingly on imports.
The organisation said the UK will require at least 11 billion barrels of oil and gas between now and 2050, making domestic production a responsible part of a secure and orderly transition. The UK now relies on imports for more than 40% of its energy, while oil and gas still provide around three-quarters of UK energy needs.
OEUK’s Economic Report 2026 says the UK offshore energy sector supports around 245,000 jobs and generates £36.7 billion in economic value each year. Its analysis shows a more competitive fiscal and regulatory regime could unlock 111 additional projects, £50 billion of private investment and 3.25 billion barrels of oil and gas equivalent.
Cornejo: prioritise our own resources
Enrique Cornejo, Offshore Energies UK policy director, said:
“This report rightly recognises that energy security is now central to the transition. The UK must keep building out our world-class renewables, but as we decarbonise, we will still need oil and gas for years to come, so it makes sense to prioritise our own resources over imports. Homegrown production supports jobs, strengthens our economy and delivers lower emissions. A successful transition must be built from the UK’s own strengths.”
