The key facts
- Trump called the resumption of production in the North Sea 'great news' for the wealth of the UK and the Aberdeen region
- Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulle confirmed the government's approval for gas production at the Jackdaw field
- The project, first approved by the Conservatives in 2022, was suspended due to a successful lawsuit by environmentalists
Trump urged London to expand production and remove wind turbines
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday welcomed the UK's decision to resume hydrocarbon production in the North Sea. In a post on the social network Truth Social, he wrote that the UK 'has started drilling in the North Sea — one of the greatest and richest oil areas in the world.' Trump urged London to act 'at full throttle,' which, according to him, 'will make the UK very rich again.' He also added: 'Get rid of the expensive and ridiculous windmills.'
Approval for the Jackdaw field
Trump's statements followed the announcement by UK Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulle, who confirmed the government's consent for gas production at the Jackdaw field, located east of Scotland. The development is expected to begin supplying fuel by the end of October after years of legal proceedings with environmental groups, who succeeded in overturning the regulators' previous approvals. The Conservatives first approved the Jackdaw project in 2022, but a successful lawsuit by environmentalists suspended its implementation.
Trump's long-standing position
Trump has long opposed offshore wind turbines, especially installations visible from his golf resort in Aberdeenshire, and has consistently insisted that London develop controversial offshore fields off the Scottish coast, including Jackdaw and Rosebank. He called the resumption of production 'great news for the wealth and prosperity of the United Kingdom and the wonderful Aberdeen region.'
