The UK's status as a clean energy superpower has received a
further boost as a landmark agreement with Qatar reaches a
significant milestone, solidifying £1 billion of investment in
climate technology.
The partnership is expected to create thousands of highly skilled
jobs over its lifetime and will see the launch of world-leading
climate technology hubs across the UK and Qatar to accelerate
development in climate-friendly technologies.
This includes investment in technology programmes by British
engineering giant Rolls-Royce that improve energy efficiency,
support new sustainable fuels and lower carbon emissions.
It will also see investment into start-ups in the UK and Qatar
focusing on energy efficiency, carbon management, and green
power.
During Qatar's State Visit to the UK, Prime Minister and His Highness The Amir of
Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will mark the
agreement in Downing Street, following Qatar's confirmation of
its initial commitment of £1 billion.
Prime Minister said:
“I am proud that Qatar has chosen to base this global partnership
here in the UK and I am delighted that the project is getting off
the ground with this initial £1 billion commitment.
“Qatar and Rolls-Royce pursuing these opportunities in climate
technology is a significant step in our ambition to become a
clean energy superpower and further evidence that the UK is one
of the best places in the world for companies to develop those
technologies.
“We're delivering on our promise to make growth our number one
priority, by boosting our partnerships with other forward-looking
partners to invest in UK industry and create thousands of
highly-skilled jobs in the industries of the future.”
Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, Rolls-Royce, said:
“In the last two years we have made significant progress in the
transformation of Rolls-Royce. This announcement is further
evidence of our progress to create a highly competitive and
fast-growing company.
“Enabling the energy transition through lower carbon technologies
is a key part of our strategy. We are delighted to welcome Qatar
as a strategic partner, who will support the growth of these
technologies. They share our ambition to make an impact on the
challenge of climate change.”
It is expected that climate technology hubs delivered through the
partnership will be developed across the UK, alongside
universities, industry, free ports and the Qatar Free Zone to
leverage the UK's expertise.
Sites in Qatar will also enable start-ups to access markets and
opportunities in both countries – paving the way for further
inward investment.
Marking a new milestone in decades of innovation and
collaboration between the UK and Qatar, the deal will accelerate
the two countries' flourishing investment relationship.
The partnership will generate jobs, growth and investment in both
countries and is further evidence of the UK's desirability as an
investment destination as well as underlining the strength of the
relationship between Qatar and Rolls-Royce.
Business and Trade Secretary said:
“Increasing investment in the UK is a mission at the heart of
this government. This partnership between Rolls-Royce and Qatar
is not only a huge vote of confidence in the UK but will also
help create thousands of highly skilled jobs.
“Our commitment to becoming a clean energy superpower is
steadfast, and investments like these make a huge contribution to
bolstering the UK as a leader in climate technology. We're
showing investors that Britain is back as a stable place to do
business, helping to secure the investment needed to make every
part of our country better off.”
In a further boost for the UK-Qatar future-facing partnership,
the UK and Qatar will also pursue closer ties to seize the
enormous potential of genomics – the study of our DNA – to
overhaul healthcare, as well as for work focusing on AI's scope
to drive economic growth and make public services more efficient.
The two countries have unveiled plans to set up a shared Genomics
Medicine Academy, and a joint commission on AI research.
This is part of the UK and Qatar's commitment to closer ties on
science and technology. The UK-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, launched
in 2022, is also being upgraded to encompass science, innovation
and technology: a reflection of both countries' big ambitions
when it comes to unleashing the potential of science and tech to
tackle some of the biggest challenges facing us all – from
delivering economic growth to improving public health.
