THOUSANDS of new energy jobs are expected to be created by a record-breaking licensing round for North Sea oil and gas drilling.

The UK Government received 224 applications for 418 offshore blocks following the multibillion-pound boost the industry was given in the  Budget. The total is the biggest since offshore licensing began in 1964, and 37 more than the previous high in the last round in 2010.

The figures were revealed on the day that a leading oil industry expert hailed plans for an offshore windfarm near Aberdeen. Prof Alex Kemp said the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre had the potential to make Scotland “leaders in offshore wind”.

Source: The Press & Journal