Both in building energy security and driving a green transition, China and the UK can partner for mutually beneficial solutions, China's ambassador to Britain said.

Zheng Zeguang made the remarks while visiting Scotland and meeting with local officials and businesses. Zheng said China was doing its part in domestic policy with over 300 reform measures announced at a recent Communist Party meeting aimed at driving high quality growth, which will create new opportunities for the wider world.  

A long term perspective

Aberdeen, an industrial city in the northeast of Scotland, is seen as the oil capital of Europe. As a gateway to the resource-rich North Sea and its sophisticated oil and gas infrastructure, the city is crucial to the UK's energy industry. 

However, the decline of oil and gas has weighed down on its economic growth over recent years and local authorities are looking for rejuvenation through an energy transition. Talking with policymakers in the city, Zheng spoke about the potential for the UK and China to cooperate as both countries have pledged to reach their respective carbon zero goals. 

Steve Delaney, Aberdeen's Depute Provost Councilor, hailed the current relationship between the city and China. "The Chinese businesses bring a lot of expertise. There's a lot of Chinese people who've settled in Aberdeen after going to university. They contribute towards the economic growth of the city as well." Despite of challenges in moving away from fossil fuels, Delaney expressed optimism that more Chinese investment would flow into the city, especially in the energy sector. 

Aberdeen is becoming a hub for renewables in Scotland and will look to expand that further, he said.

 

On the way to net zero

Fifteen minutes' drive from Aberdeen's city center is the UK head office of an oil and gas giant, CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation). It operates three major oil producing fields in the North Sea: Buzzard, Golden Eagle and Scott, contributing more than a quarter of UK's oil output. Its local partnerships and investment have generated around 200,000 jobs in the UK, 84,000 of which are in Scotland. 

Ryan Scott, General Manager of Golden Eagle and Scott, has been working with CNOOC UK since 2006. He said the company is committed to being a Net Zero energy business in the UK by 2050.

Edinburgh-based Red Rock Renewables, a subsidiary of China State Development & Investment Corporation, is a leading player in the renewable energy market. It owns 25 percent of the entity operating the Beatrice offshore wind farm, one of the largest in the world. Its second project, Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm is expected to power 1.6 million homes once completed. 

Chen Xiaomeng, CEO of Red Rock Renewables, said apart from building on its strengths, the company is also developing onshore wind and other clean energies: "Red Rock Renewables will continue developing our portfolio and also looking at new opportunities in offshore and onshore wind, and potentially we look at new renewable technologies, such as battery and hydrogen."

China's relationship with Scotland goes well beyond the energy industry. Ambassador Zheng said he had spoken to local governments keen to develop economic ties with China. Both sides bring different expertise and resources which complement each other he said, highlighting sectors including education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

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