THE SNP has accused the Westminster Government of failing to support Scotland’s renewables industry and plunging the UK renewables market into “further uncertainty”.
SNP Energy spokesperson Callum McCaig MP has written to Greg Clark, the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) about the UK Government’s abolition of the Energy and Climate Change Department, the continuing uncertainty of Brexit and a devastating reduction in investment in the sector.
McCaig has said the SNP is determined to see Scotland’s renewable sector flourish and has also pointed to the UK Government’s lack of response to several requests for clarification from the Scottish Government over an “array of key issues” on Scotland’s renewable sector which still await a response.
The MP for Aberdeen South said: “I have written to the minister because, given the incredible opportunity that the UK and Scotland have to grow renewable energy, it is appalling that the UK Government has failed to take action and support this vital and dynamic sector. I have also raised the lack of any response to colleagues in the Scottish Government on this key sector for the Scottish economy.
“The UK Government has a shameful record on this and Brexit has plunged the UK energy market into further uncertainty. This, after years of austerity measures, cuts and U-turns on investment and with recent figures showing that renewable investment could face a 95 per cent drop between 2017 and 2020 – it is absolutely clear that the time to act is now.
“The renewable sector has been a huge success in Scotland, and the SNP Scottish Government has been clear in its approach to green and renewable energy. It is with all this is in mind that I am calling on the UK Government to place renewable investment at the heart of the long awaited industrial strategy.’’ In his letter, McCaig wrote: “As SNP spokesperson for BEIS, I ask you to do all within your power to communicate with, and maximise cooperation between, governments at this critical time.
“While the SNP were disheartened at the decision to scrap the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the creation of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy could pose fresh opportunities. The SNP’s determination to see our renewable energy sector flourish has not been lessened amid the harsh realities of a post-Brexit economic landscape.
“We have however been disappointed by the distinct lack of willingness from the UK Government to view renewable energy as part of a robust industrial strategy thus far. The UK holds immense potential to develop a green energy approach that would create economic prosperity, generate high skilled jobs, produce vast swathes of investment opportunities, and encourage a thriving industry.
“Years of ideologically driven, counterproductive austerity measures have undeniably deterred investors to this key industry.
“The devastating predicted drop of 95 per cent of renewable investment between 2017 and 2020 should be a wakeup call that action must be taken as a matter of urgency to secure a thriving future for this dynamic sector.
“Renewable energy has been a success story for Scotland in recent years, and the SNP Scottish Government has set out an ambitious strategy for renewable investment. We firmly believe that supporting long-term energy security and environmental protection should be a key priority for any responsible government.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Scotland has a thriving renewables industry thanks to UK Government support. Since the start of this Parliament, we have invested more than £800m in renewables projects in Scotland, with the country benefitting proportionally more than the rest of the UK.
“With forty per cent of successful projects bidding for funding from our Contracts for Difference programme were based in Scotland – proving the strength of the UK Government’s support to support the industry.”
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