A new gas field in the North Sea has been given final regulatory approval by the UK Government but campaigners say they are considering legal action.
Jackdaw, which is being developed by an affiliate firm of Shell, is located about 250km east of Aberdeen.
Shell said that the site could produce around 6.5% of the UK’s gas output at its peak.
In a tweet, the UK energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Jackdaw gas field – originally licensed in 1970 – has today received final regulatory approval.
“We’re turbocharging renewables and nuclear, but we are also realistic about our energy needs now.
“Let’s source more of the gas we need from British waters to protect energy security.”
However, campaigners have said they believe the approval could be unlawful.
Ami McCarthy from Greenpeace said: “This government’s shown no regard for these emissions, or Jackdaw’s ultimate climate impact.
“We think that’s unlawful, we’re looking at legal action to stop Jackdaw, and fight this every step of the way.
“Approving Jackdaw is a desperate and destructive decision from Johnson’s government, and proves there’s no long-term plan.”
Jackdaw was rejected last year ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow.
Since then the Russian invasion of Ukraine has seen wholesale gas prices soar.
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