Two leading energy academics have strongly criticised Westminster’s attitude to energy policy – describing the UK Government as “totally out of touch.”
Professor of Energy Policy Peter Strachan and Professor of Petroleum Accounting Alex Russell of Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen criticise the UK Government on a range of energy issues in a newly published article – and point out that the UK Governments attempts to talk down independence have only contributed to a climate of energy uncertainty.
The article is also strongly critical of the Tory proposals to scrap onshore wind subsidies – confirming that this will heighten the risk of power shortages and make an already tight margin of supply even tighter.
The key role of Scotland’s renewable energy capacity in keeping the lights on south of the border is pointed out in the article – which states that “in all likelihood, a rump UK would have no choice but to buy Scotland’s electricity generating surplus of around 25%” – and states that the UK Government has been underplaying the important role of Scottish electricity generation.
One of the authors, Professor Peter Strachan is also part of a wider UK group of energy academics who have called for Scotland to have much greater control over its energy policy – whether under full Independence or more devolution.
The group also includes lecturers from the universities of Aberdeen, Manchester, Lancaster, Edinburgh, St. Andrew’s, Northumbria, University College London and Cardiff.
See the full article – The coalition’s attitude to renewables and Scotland is a risk to national security – on the PLATFORM page at Scottish Energy News
Pixie Energy is an incubator and a facilitator of strategic research and project work, focusing on energy regulation, policy and markets at the local and national level. Find out more about Pixie Energy