Pembrokeshire politicians welcome Badenoch’s oil pledge

Pembrokeshire Senedd Members Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz have welcomed an announcement by the Leader of the Conservative party to remove all net zero requirements on oil and gas companies drilling in the North Sea.

The pledge, made by Kemi Badenoch MP, aims to maximise the extraction of oil and gas in the North Sea and is part of Ms Badenoch’s plan to overhaul the North Sea Transition Authority, which oversees the issuing of licences, and replacing its 12-page mandate with a simple order to extract the maximum possible amount of fossil fuel.

Ms Badenoch highlighted Norway extracting from the North Sea seabed and made it clear that a future UK Conservative government would remove barriers in order to extract as much oil and gas as possible.

Preseli Pembrokeshire Sened Member Paul Davies said “Energy prices in the UK are too high and whilst fossil fuels are still an important part of the energy mix, it’s vital that they are extracted responsibly. We know that other European countries are tapping into these valuable resources, and the UK should be doing what it can to extract oil and gas too.”

He added, “Ms Badenoch’s announcement marks a move towards backing the domestic energy industry, supporting skilled jobs, and protecting our energy security. Pembrokeshire plays an important role in meeting the nation’s energy needs and so I’m pleased that the Leader of the Conservative party has recognised the importance of the sector and has committed to reducing our dependence on imports by supporting domestic production.”

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz said, “Pembrokeshire has a proud history at the heart of the UK’s oil and gas industry, and I have long championed the sector and the wider supply chain that supports it. Kemi Badenoch’s pledge to remove unnecessary net zero restrictions on North Sea operators is a welcome step in unlocking the full potential of our domestic energy resources.

“With initiatives such as the Celtic Freeport, Pembrokeshire is uniquely positioned to benefit from a growing domestic petrochemical industry, creating highly skilled jobs and driving prosperity across the region. Supporting our oil and gas sector responsibly ensures energy security for the nation while seizing new opportunities for local economic growth. This is a clear

chance to build on Pembrokeshire’s energy heritage and secure a strong, prosperous future for our communities.”