The SNP Government is facing calls to explain an apparent U-turn on energy
policy after revealing its 'prospectus for independence' will consider
nuclear power. Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative Shadow Net Zero Secretary,
said the SNP administration needed to explain what brought about their
U-turn following years of opposition.
A freedom of information request
published by the Scottish Government includes questions about Scotland's
energy supply and the impact of moving away from fossil fuels. One of the
questions asked if the government had factored in the effects of Scexit and
breaking up the United Kingdom.
The Scottish Government confirmed that in
the next stage of its independence prospectus it would look into
Scotland's energy outlook. It revealed that the prospectus will
"consider future nuclear, oil and gas supply" in an independent
Scotland. The reply revealed that Scotland's climate change plans
highlighted the importance of nuclear, oil and gas in reducing Scotland's
energy systems. Officials said the move towards electric vehicles, heat
pumps and hydrogen would help Scotland move away from oil and gas but it
failed to confirmed if the plan would include moving away from nuclear.
They wrote: "Sector analyses and modelling conducted for Scotland's
climate change plans show that nuclear, oil and gas can play a reducing
role in Scotland's energy system, and this is necessary as we move
towards 2045 and our net zero legislated target.
Mr Matheson said in an
interview on Good Morning Scotland that the Scottish Government was against
nuclear power for three reasons: its long legacy in terms of construction
cost and nuclear waste, concerns around safety, and that it is the "most
expensive form of electricity", with renewable alternatives being cheaper
to run and better at helping lower peoples household bills - adding that
nuclear is "heavily subsidised".
Express 26th July 2022
https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-government-called-explain-u-27579843
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