MSPs in Scotland have been called upon to take action to preserve the future of the Grangemouth oil refinery and safeguard hundreds of jobs. Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, has criticised the lack of response from politicians in both Holyrood and Westminster regarding the potential closure of Scotland’s last remaining oil refinery.
Graham is set to lead a rally to the Scottish Parliament this week in an effort to rally support for Unite’s proposal to convert the refinery into a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility. Unite argues that the increasing global demand for SAF could ensure the long-term viability of the site, which is currently facing substantial financial losses.
Petroineos, the owner of the refinery, has announced plans to halt refining operations next spring and transform the site into a fuel import depot. However, Graham has raised concerns about politicians accepting this plan without exploring other possibilities. She emphasised the importance of fighting to keep Grangemouth operational, especially in light of the significant job losses that would result from its closure.
Unite believes that the conversion of the refinery to produce SAF could be achieved without job losses within a relatively short timeframe. Graham highlighted successful examples of refineries around the world transitioning to renewable feedstocks at a substantial cost, indicating a viable path forward for Grangemouth.
Graham urged politicians to challenge the current trajectory set by Petroineos and push for an independent review of the site to explore its potential for green technologies. She emphasised the importance of taking action to secure the refinery’s future and called on MSPs to support Unite’s plan to pause the closure and work towards keeping Grangemouth operational.
In conclusion, the future of the Grangemouth oil refinery hangs in the balance, with critical decisions needing to be made to protect jobs and the local economy. It is essential for politicians to heed the call to action and champion sustainable solutions that could secure the refinery’s long-term viability and contribute to Scotland’s green energy transition.