A new study from the University of Aberdeen's Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Transition warns that intensifying competition for offshore space is placing the UK's energy transition at risk and calls for the creation of a single overarching regulatory body to manage competing demands and ensure the best national outcomes.

The stark message was presented at today's OEUK's Hydrogen and Carbon Storage Summit in Edinburgh. Entitled 'Competition, conflict and consequences: Offshore geospatial planning for the energy transition', the accompanying peer-reviewed paper published by the Geological Society reveals that fragmented decision-making across multiple offshore sectors is leading to inefficiencies, unresolved conflicts and potentially damaging trade-offs.

Using the Southern North Sea as a case study, the University researchers demonstrate how pressures are building in offshore areas, with significant competition for the subsurface, seabed, water column and airspace above. Expanding renewable energy infrastructure is increasingly intersecting and spatially overlapping with long-standing marine industries and environmental interests.

At the heart of the research is a clear recommendation: the UK must establish a single, overarching regulatory body with a unified licensing system to coordinate offshore activity.

Currently, offshore space is governed by multiple regulators, landlords and advisory bodies operating largely independently. The study finds this fragmented approach makes it difficult to balance competing priorities such as offshore wind, carbon storage, oil and gas activities, fishing, shipping, helicopter operations and environmental protection and prevents the most effective use of limited space.

"There is a growing, but under-recognised, spatial challenge emerging across the UK Continental Shelf with decisions about offshore space being made in silos," said co-author, Ruth Hamilton an Interdisciplinary Researcher at the University of Aberdeen.

"Without a unified approach, we risk locking in suboptimal outcomes that could limit future energy options and create avoidable conflicts in already busy offshore environments."

A centralised authority, the paper argues, would enable evidence-based decision-making, ensure fair arbitration between competing sectors, and help deliver the best overall spatial outcome to meet the UK's energy transition and net zero ambitions.

The study also warns that failing to address these issues could have significant consequences.

"Without coordinated planning and stronger governance the UK's energy transition targets could be constrained and the ability to meet net zero delayed. Going beyond that, intensified spatial congestion and competing uses can lead to loss and displacement of fishing grounds, increased human impact on ecosystems and biodiversity, challenges for navigation, decommissioning and safety at sea and has implications for national security and siting of offshore infrastructure," added Hamilton.

The research also highlights that the subsurface - essential for oil and gas production, carbon storage or new low-carbon opportunities (e.g. compressed air and hydrogen storage) - is often overlooked yet is critical for energy security and to achieve decarbonisation goals. A lack of coordination and joined-up holistic thinking could result in these resources becoming inaccessible.

The study advocates for a shift towards integrated, data-driven geospatial planning, supported by cross-sector collaboration, access to high-quality spatial data and flexible, adaptive planning frameworks.

It argues that such an approach would enable policymakers to identify trade-offs early, support co-location of compatible activities and make informed decisions that balance economic, environmental and social priorities.

"The spatial squeeze and conflicts we highlight are not just a Southern North Sea issue," added co-author Professor John Underhill, Director of Energy Transition at the University of Aberdeen's Interdisciplinary Institute.

"While achieving the UK Government's ambition to become a global leader in clean energy and attain its net zero targets will depend on fundamental reform of offshore governance, the same spatial pressures are emerging elsewhere on the UK Continental Shelf. The approach we take is highly transferable and lessons learned are applicable internationally.

"A coordinated, whole-system approach is essential. If we are serious about delivering a just and timely energy transition, we must rethink how we manage offshore space."

The research was supported by the University of Aberdeen Development Trust and the University's Interdisciplinary Institute.

Notes for editors

Issued by

The Communications Team

Directorate of External Relations,

University of Aberdeen,

King's College,

Aberdeen

Contact

Euan Wemyss

Issued on

02 June 2026