How will the UK Government’s cuts to support for renewables affect Scotland’s energy industry?

The UK Government have announced cuts to the subsidies for renewable energy generation that could see a loss of investment of up to £3 billion and put more than 5,000 jobs at risk. The Tory government at Westminster has also scrapped a £1 billion grant for the long-planned Carbon Capture and Storage scheme in Peterhead, which will cost 600 jobs in the North East of Scotland.

In spite of UK Government cuts, Scotland has made outstanding progress in producing clean energy in recent years and has a real opportunity to be a world leader on renewables – with the potential to boost our economy, create jobs and protect our environment.

In this parliament an SNP government will continue to invest in and support the growth of renewables in Scotland. We will continue to support new wave energy technology through Wave Energy Scotland and the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, and work closely with the Solar Trade Association to advance proposals for expanding solar energy in Scotland. To allow savers to invest in and support Scotland’s renewable energy sector we will explore the creation of a Scottish Renewable Energy Bond.

To help the growth of local and community energy projects we will also explore the potential to create a government owned energy company. This will include empowering communities to use the income from energy developments to support other communities develop their energy potential.