Scottish Energy Forum

Hosted by Ashurst, this Scottish Energy Forum discussion explored how energy companies are adapting their financing strategies in an evolving capital market. The conversation examined alternative funding structures, the changing role of credit markets, and why building the right capital structure has become critical for supporting growth, resilience and the energy transition.

At our most recent Scottish Energy Forum (SEF) briefing in Edinburgh on the 17th June 2026, Dr Ewan Gibbs of the University of Glasgow took the audience on a journey through Scotland’s energy history – not through the usual lens of policy papers, engineering milestones or political slogans, but through the lives of the people who experienced it first-hand.

This week, the Scottish Energy Forum was delighted to welcome members and guests to Aberdeen for a discussion centred on findings of the latest POWERful Women State of the Nation report and what it means for the future of our industry.

Recently, we brought together leading industry voices from across the energy sector to examine the growing connection between energy security, economic resilience and national security. Against a backdrop of geopolitical instability, rising energy costs and increasing import dependency, the discussion explored what a pragmatic and resilient UK energy strategy should look like for the years ahead.

We recently enjoyed a highly engaging discussion led by James Cogan, Danube Carbon. Cogan offered an unfiltered look at the realities of developing a commercially viable CCS project where progress is rarely linear and certainty is in short supply.

The Annual James Watt Lecture, held in Edinburgh, has long provided a forum for serious reflection on energy, engineering, and society. This year’s lecture was delivered by Professor Ian Arbon, a veteran engineer, industrialist, and academic with more than five decades of experience across manufacturing, sustainability, and energy systems.

Serica Energy is a UK-based independent oil and gas exploration and production company focused on the UK Continental Shelf, responsible for around 5% of the UK’s natural gas output. With interests across 11 North Sea fields and major 2025 acquisitions set to significantly increase production, Serica combines strong financial discipline with growth through strategic investment and operational excellence.

Industry perspectives on energy supply, demand, geopolitics and investment risk, exploring what will shape global energy markets in the years ahead.

A conversation with Pauline Innes of the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) last week put something into sharp focus: decommissioning isn’t the epilogue to the North Sea story, it is the next chapter, and a significant one.